Technical Notes for NIS-Teen Vaccination Coverage Tables
Coverage Estimate Methodology
The NIS-Teen has a sample size of over 20,000 adolescents with adequate vaccination coverage data reported by provider (adequate provider data). A sample is not the entire population. Sample estimates and population values may be different. The difference is measured through the 95% Confidence Interval (CI). For example, in 2015, the vaccination coverage estimate for 3 or more doses of human papillomavirus vaccine among adolescent girls in the United States was 62.9% +/-1.8%. This means that the true coverage was probably between 61.1% and 64.7%. When comparing two estimates (e.g., between states or between years), an overlap in the confidence intervals indicates that the observed difference might be due to chance.
Vaccination Coverage Estimates and 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI)
The NIS-Teen samples part of the population. It does not collect data for the entire population. The NIS-Teen national sample contains over 20,000 adolescents with adequate vaccination coverage data reported by providers (adequate provider data). Vaccination coverage estimates are based on provider-reported vaccination histories. Complex statistical methods are used to adjust for adolescents whose parents did not participate in the survey, lived in households without telephones, or had vaccination histories that were not reported by their providers.
Vaccination coverage estimates measured by a sample are presented as a point estimate (%) with a 95% CI (+/- a CI half-width). Sample estimates may be different than the true vaccination coverage in a population. Part of the difference may be described by the 95% CI around the estimate. The 95% CI is a measure of precision. Wider confidence intervals are a sign of a relatively small sample size and relatively less precision.
Compared to state or local area estimates, national vaccination coverage estimates are based on a larger sample size, have much smaller CI, and are more precise. For example, in 2016, the vaccination coverage estimate for ≥1 dose of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among adolescents 13-17 years in the United States was 60.4% +/-1.2. (The CI half-width is 1.2.) This means that the true population coverage was probably within the 95% CI of 59.2% (60.4%-1.2) and 61.6% (60.4% + 1.2). The same survey year, the vaccination coverage estimate for ≥1 dose of HPV vaccine among adolescents 13-17 years in Rhode Island was 88.9% +/-3.7. This means that the true population coverage was probably within the 95% CI of 85.2% (88.9%-3.7) and 92.6% (88.9%+3.7). When comparing vaccination coverage rates from NIS-Teen across states, if the confidence intervals do not overlap, then the estimates are statistically different. But if the confidence intervals do overlap, further statistical analysis may be needed to definitively make a determination of statistical difference.
If an estimate is listed as NA (Not Available), the estimate was not reported because it may not be reliable or adequately precise. If the unweighted sample size for the numerator was less than 30 or the [(CI half-width)/Estimate] was greater than 0.6, the estimate may not be reliable or precise. The individuals in that subgroup are still included in the overall sample and the overall coverage estimates. State estimates with a CI half-width greater than 10 percentage points (± 10) may be unreliable, but are reported.
Race/ethnicity
The adolescent’s race was reported by the parent or guardian. Hispanic adolescents can be of any race. Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders and persons of multiple races were not included because of small sample sizes and the estimates may not be reliable or precise.
Survey Dates, Interview Dates, and Birthdates
| Adolescents surveyed for the data year… | Were interviewed during… | And born between |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | January 2022 — January 2023 | January 2004 — January 2010 |
| 2021 | January 2021 — February 2022 | January 2003 — February 2009 |
| 2020 | January 2020 — January 2021 | January 2002 — January 2008 |
| 2019 | January 2019 — February 2020 | January 2001 — February 2007 |
| 2018 | January 2018 — January 2019 | January 2000 — January 2006 |
| 2017 | January 2017 — January 2018 | January 1999 — January 2005 |
| 2016 | January 2016 — February 2017 | January 1998 — February 2004 |
| 2015 | January 2015 — February 2016 | January 1997 — February 2003 |
| 2014 | January 2014 — February 2015 | January 1996 — February 2002 |
| 2013 | January 2013 — February 2014 | January 1995 — February 2001 |
| 2012 | January 2012 — February 2013 | January 1994 — February 2000 |
| 2011 | January 2011 — February 2012 | January 1993 — February 1999 |
| 2010 | January 2010 — February 2011 | January 1992 — February 1998 |
| 2009 | January 2009 — February 2010 | January 1991 — February 1997 |
| 2008 | January 2008 — February 2009 | January 1990 — February 1996 |
| 2007 | January 2007 — February 2008 | January 1989 — February 1995 |
| 2006 | January 2006 — February 2007 | January 1988 — February 1994 |
Local Areas included in the NIS-Teen
The NIS-Teen estimates vaccination coverage for the 50 states and selected local areas.
Abbreviations
HepB: hepatitis B
HPV: human papillomavirus
MenACWY: quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate
MMR: measles-mumps-rubella
Td: tetanus-diptheria toxoids
Tdap: tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis