Surveying a Nationally Representative Internet-Based Panel to Obtain Timely Estimates of Influenza Vaccination Rates

Background:
Current reporting of influenza vaccination rates from federal health surveys is not timely enough, specific enough, or comprehensive enough to support improved management of annual influenza vaccine season.

Objectives:
We studied the feasibility of using an internet-based panel survey fielded by Knowledge Networks to obtain timely and accurate population-based data on influenza vaccination.

Methods:
We surveyed a nationally representative sample of US adults (n=3,043) via the internet about use of influenza vaccination during the 2007-8 influenza vaccination season. We compared the Knowledge Network rates to those from the 2004 and 2008 National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS).

Results:
The Knowledge Networks rates were uniformly higher, but generally comparable to those from the NHIS and were obtained in less than six weeks following the end of influenza vaccination season.

Conclusions:
We conclude that an internet-based approach can yield accurate estimates of end-of-season influenza vaccination rates that can be disseminated in time to support improved management of the subsequent season.