Comparison of NIS and NHIS/NIPRCS vaccination coverage estimates

BACKGROUND: The National Immunization Survey (NIS) and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) produce national coverage estimates for children aged 19 months to 35 months. The NIS is a cost-effective- random-digit-dialing telephone survey that produces national and state-level vaccination coverage estimates. The National Immunization Provider Record Check Study (NIPRCS) is conducted in conjunction with the annual NHIS- which is a face-to-face household survey. As the NIS is a telephone survey- potential coverage bias exists as the survey excludes children living in nontelephone households. METHODS: To assess the validity of estimates of vaccine coverage from the NIS- we compared 1995 and 1996 NIS national estimates with results from the NHIS/NIPRCS for the same years. RESULTS: Both the NIS and the NHIS/NIPRCS produce similar results. CONCLUSION: The NHIS/NIPRCS supports the findings of the NIS.