title: Surveying a nationally representative internet-based panel to obtain timely estimates of influenza vaccination rates.
abstract: We studied the feasibility of using an internet-based panel survey to obtain timely and accurate population-based data on influenza vaccination. We surveyed a nationally representative sample of US adults (n=3043) via the internet about use of influenza vaccination during the 2007-8 influenza vaccination season. We compared the internet-based rates to those from the 2004 and 2008 National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS). The internet-based rates were comparable to those from the NHIS and were obtained in less than six weeks following the end of influenza vaccination season. We conclude that an internet-based approach can yield accurate estimates of end-of-season influenza vaccination rates in time to support improved management of the subsequent season.
authors.affiliation: RAND Corporation, Arlington, VA, USA. kharris@rand.org
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schonlau
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lurie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines