KEYWORDS:
vaccination coverage level, telephone survey, assessment

BACKGROUND:
The Texas Department of Health has conducted the Texas Immunization Survey (TIS) every two years since 1994 to assess the vaccination status of children 3 through 24 months of age. The TIS provides vaccination coverage levels by insurance status, participation in WIC, and race/ethnicity.

OBJECTIVE(S):
To present results from the TIS conducted in 1999-2000.

METHOD(S):
The 2000 TIS was a random digit dialing telephone survey of homes in which children 3 though 24 months of age resided. Stratified cluster sampling was used. Survey protocols and instruments were modeled after the NIS. The final sample included immunization histories for 2,156 children. The response rate was 60%. After obtaining appropriate parental consent, 46% of these immunization histories were verified with providers’ records.

RESULT(S):
The vaccination coverage level for children 3 months through 24 months of age was 70%. The coverage level among the state’s three major racial/ethnic groups was 74% for white, non-Hispanic; 67% for Hispanic; and 72% for black, non-Hispanic. The majority of the children included in the survey had private insurance (56%). In general, privately insured children tend to be more completely vaccinated (74%) than Medicaid (72%) or uninsured children (55%). The vaccination coverage level for children participating in WIC was 68% compared to 72% for non-participating children.

CONCLUSIONS(S):
A statewide population-based telephone survey of children 3 months through 24 months of age revealed a statewide vaccination coverage level of 70%. Children covered by private insurance and or Medicaid had higher vaccination coverage levels. Lower coverage levels were observed among Hispanics, children on WIC, and uninsured children.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Describe methods and results from a statewide random digit dialing telephone survey.