National Immunization Survey

Overview of National 2009 H1N1 Flu Survey (NHFS)

In June of 2009, a novel strain of the flu known as the 2009 H1N1 flu or “swine flu” was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The development and rapid spread of illness from the 2009 H1N1 flu virus has become a major public health concern, and H1N1 flu vaccination has been recommended this flu season for certain target groups initially, followed by the general public. In order to monitor and evaluate flu vaccination efforts among adults and children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is conducting the National 2009 H1N1 Flu Survey. The National 2009 H1N1 Flu Survey is a list-assisted random-digit-dialing telephone survey of both landline and cell telephones. Interviews are conducted by telephone with households in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to questions about H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccination status of adults and children, the survey also asks about flu-related behaviors, opinions about flu vaccine safety and effectiveness, recent respiratory illness, and pneumococcal vaccination status.