Frequently Asked
Questions by
Parents and Guardians

What is the purpose of the survey?

Who uses this information?

How are telephone numbers selected?

Is there a letter that explains the purpose of the study?

What is the legal authorization for the study?

How is confidentiality of information assured?

Why does the study request information from medical providers?

Will medical providers give a child's full medical history to the CDC?

What information is available about immunizations and about places that provide immunization shots?

What is the purpose of the survey?
The purpose of the National Immunization Survey is to monitor the immunizations of children across the country. It has been discovered that many children are not receiving their required immunizations, and this could potentially lead to the re-emergence of many serious diseases.

Who uses this information?
The National Center for Health Statistics and the National Immunization Program (both agencies are part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) will use the results of the study to help improve children's health. By monitoring immunization across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is able to assess the extent to which the country, States, and certain metropolitan areas are reaching the immunization goals of the Childhood Immunization Initiative. The results of the study do not involve any personal identifying information from survey participants. They are available only at the metropolitan, State, or national level.

How are telephone numbers selected?
A computer randomly generates the telephone numbers that are used for the study's telephone survey.  No person or organization provides the study with any telephone numbers. (The survey involves conducting interviews with people across the entire country.)

Is there a letter that explains the study?
Most households selected for the study receive a letter in advance that explains the purpose of the study. This letter is from Dr. Edward J. Sondik, Director of the National Center for Health Statistics. Not all selected households receive a letter in advance, however, because the study does not have the mailing address for all telephone numbers selected for the study. You may contact the study's telephone survey researchers at (800) 247-1970 to have a letter sent to your home.

What is the legal authorization for the study?
The study is being conducted on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and it is authorized by the Public Health Service Act [Sections 306 & 2102(a)(7)]. You may call our toll-free number (800) 247-1970 to verify the legitimacy of this survey and obtain more information.

How is confidentiality of information assured?
Confidentiality is mandated by law. Findings will be issued only in summary form and U.S. law requires that the name of study participants not be associated with any answers. Any willful and knowing disclosure in violation of the Privacy Act of 1974 would subject the violator to a fine of up to $5,000. Under the Public Health Service Act, "Unauthorized disclosure of the confidential information is punishable under Title 18, Section 1905 of the U.S. Code." This excerpt is from Section 308d (1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 242k), and the Privacy Act of 1974, Section (e) (3). Also, you may view a section of the NCHS Staff Manual on Confidentiality, which further explains the prohibitions against Disclosure of Confidential Information.

Why does the study request information from the children's medical provider?
We have discovered that vaccination information from doctors and clinics tends to be the most up-to-date and comprehensive and that the quality of the study's results is much improved by combining the information given by households with that given by medical providers. It is important that we obtain the most reliable information possible about children's vaccinations so that we can provide the public with reliable estimates.

Will the medical provider give a child's full medical history to the CDC?
No. With the permission of a parent or legal guardian, we send a request form, along with a record of the parent or guardian's consent, to the child's doctor or clinic. The request form asks specifically about the vaccination records only, and we do not expect providers to give any other information.

Once immunization data have been collected, identifying information is no longer necessary or used. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assure you that any names of children, as well as any names of doctors or clinics, will not be used in any study results.

What information is available about immunizations and about places that provide immunizations?
For more information regarding vaccinations or the phone number of a doctor or clinic near you, please call the National Immunization Hotline at (800) 232-2522 in English or (800) 232-0233 in Spanish. For more information about immunization, please visit the Web site for the National Immunization Program.

This page last reviewed August 24, 2004