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. 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.
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. Also, you may view a section of the NCHS Staff Manual on Confidentiality, which further explains the prohibitions against Disclosure of Confidential Information. 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. 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.