CDC's Breastfeeding National Immunization Data

Each year since 1994, the CDC National Immunization Program, in partnership with CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, has conducted the National Immunization Survey (NIS) within all 50 states, District of Columbia, and selected geographic areas within the states. This nationwide survey provides the nation’s public health community with current national, state, and selected urban-area estimates of vaccination coverage rates for U.S. children aged 19 to 35 months.

In 2001, at the request of a CDC expert advisory panel, the National Immunization Survey piloted breastfeeding questions to about 13% of respondents. Since January 2003, these breastfeeding questions have been asked of all survey respondents to assess the population’s breastfeeding practices. As a result, the 2003 NIS results not only provide overall population estimates for the initiation, duration, and exclusivity of breastfeeding, but also provide geographically-specific breastfeeding rates.

Key findings of the 2003 National Immunization Survey Regarding Breastfeeding Practices:

Fourteen states in the United States have achieved the national Healthy People 2010 objective of 75% of mothers initiating breastfeeding; whereas only 6 and 8 states have achieved the objective of having 50% of mothers breastfeeding their children at 6 months of age and 25% of mothers breastfeeding their children at 12 months of age, respectively.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that an infant be breastfed without supplemental foods and liquids for the first 6 months of age (known as exclusive breastfeeding). However, only Oregon has achieved an exclusive breastfeeding rate above 25% at 6 months.
Six states have achieved all of the Healthy People 2010 objectives on breastfeeding. These states are Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.
Consistent with previous research, the NIS breastfeeding data reveal that non-Hispanic blacks and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups have consistently lower breastfeeding rates.

Detailed information about the National Immunization Survey is available at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/coverage/default.htm#NIS.

NIS Survey Methods

The National Immunization Survey uses random-digit dialing to survey households with age-eligible children, followed by a mail survey to the eligible children’s vaccination providers to validate the vaccination information. The household telephone survey asks questions about childhood immunization for children aged 19–35 months of age and requests parental permission for contacting children’s vaccination providers. The mail survey of vaccination providers asks the types of immunizations, dates of administration, and additional data about facility characteristics. Additionally, beginning January 2003, all respondents to the household telephone survey were asked questions about breastfeeding.

Selecting the NIS Study Population

The NIS covers all 50 states, District of Columbia, and selected geographic areas within states. Using a computer generated list across the county, the NIS identifies households with children aged 19–35 months old and interviews the person who is most knowledgeable about the child’s immunization status. Each year, approximately 35,600 completed phone interviews are obtained nationally in the NIS.

Data Reports Available

The vaccination coverage data are released in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Preliminary breastfeeding data were published in Pediatrics 2003;111:1198-1201. Breastfeeding data from the 2003 NIS are now available by geographic area and by socio-demographic characteristics.

Breastfeeding Practices:
Results from the 2003 National Immunization Survey

NIS Survey Methods

Selecting the NIS Study Population

Data Reports Available

Tables

Maps of Breastfeeding Rates by State

Breastfeeding Practices: Results from the 2003 National Immunization Survey

NIS Survey Methods

Selecting the NIS Study Population

Data Reports Available

Tables

Maps of Breastfeeding Rates by State

Breastfeeding Practices:
Results from the 2003 National Immunization Survey