BACKGROUND:
The National Immunization Survey (NIS) is the nation’s primary tool for assessing immunization coverage among 19-35 month old children. Numerous expansions of the NIS, that take advantage of the existing infrastructure, are planned.

OBJECTIVE:
To describe the planned NIS expansions, thus making potential stakeholders aware of coming developments.

METHOD:
Modules that measure immunization coverage among groups other than 19-35 month old children are now implemented or are in preparation. Steps are being taken to measure immunization coverage in additional urban areas. The NIS is being used to measure caregivers’ knowledge and attitudes in specialized areas, such as childhood influenza vaccine and concerns about vaccine safety.

RESULT:
An experimental module for measuring immunization coverage among adults aged 65 years and over is already in place. Plans exist to: extend the elderly survey to adults aged 50-64 years (starting 2004); field a survey for adolescents, aged 13-15 years (starting 2004); and to expand the list of cities for which coverage is measures by switching from annual estimates to biennial estimates for some cities (starting 2005). Special purpose modules, administered to a portion of the NIS sample and modified annually, have been in place since 2001 and will continue to be implemented. Examples include questions on insurance coverage, concerns about vaccine safety, and impact of vaccine shortage.

CONCLUSION:
The existing NIS infrastructure can provide a framework for estimating immunization coverage among more age groups and in more locations than has been done, and can provide measures of caregivers’ knowledge and attitudes.


LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
To better understand forthcoming NIS modifications.