Description

For sample adults and sample children in 2005-forward (sample adults in 1991-2004, or adults aged 18 and older in 1989), VACFLUSH12M reports whether or not the sample person had a flu shot vaccine in the past 12 months.

See the Comparability Tab for additional information about changes to the universe and construction of this variable over time as well as information about seasonal flu versus H1N1 flu vaccinations in 2009-2011.

Comparability

In 1989, this question was asked only of sample adults. In 1991, it was asked of sample persons aged 18 and older. In 1994-1995 and quarters 3 and 4 of 1995, only sample persons aged 18 and older who were excluded from the AIDS supplement were asked this question. Beginning in 1997, it was asked of all sample adults; in 2005, sample children were added. Beginning in 2010, this variable is constructed by IPUMS NHIS for some respondents.

For sample children surveyed after August 10, 2010 in the 2010 NHIS sample and sample adults beginning in the 2016 NHIS sample, a streamlined set of questions about flu vaccines was asked. Sample persons were asked if they had received a flu vaccine in the past 12 months (VACFLU12M), then asked for the month (VACFLUMO) and year (VACFLUYR) of their most recent vaccine, as well as the mode of their most recent flu vaccine (choosing between a shot or nasal spray) (VACFLUMODE). Sample children were asked if they had more than one vaccination in the past year (VACFLUNUM) and could also report the mode (VAC2FLUMODE), month (VAC2FLUMO), and year (VAC2FLUYR) of their second most recent flu vaccination.

Earlier versions of the flu vaccine variables were structured differently 

The 2010 NHIS sample includes variables associated with both versions of the flu vaccine questions. In 2011-forward, the original NHIS files do not offer the variables associated with VACFLUSH12M. IPUMS NHIS has combined the generic flu vaccination information with the mode of vaccine to replicate VACFLUSH12M for sample children surveyed after August 10, 2010 and for sample adults in 2016 forward.

Seasonal versus H1N1 flu vaccines
Generally, the survey question associated with this variable asks about seasonal flu vaccines and specifies that they are usually given in the fall to protect against influenza for the flu season. The 2009-2010 seasonal flu vaccine did not include protection against H1N1, as the H1N1 vaccine was developed later; from October 2009-August 10, 2010, the survey question explicitly clarifies that sample persons are NOT to include H1N1 or "swine" flu vaccines when answering this question. In January 2010, the NHIS added distinct supplemental questions about H1N1 flu vaccinations (VACH1N1GOT). Beginning on August 11, 2010 onward, the survey question clarifies that the sample person's most recent flu vaccination could have been the new 2010-2011 seasonal flu vaccine (which included protection against H1N1) or an H1N1 vaccine, but does not clarify which vaccination the sample person received.

Universe

Availability

• 1989, 1991, 1993-1995, 1997-2018

Weights

• 1989 : PERWEIGHT
• 1991, 1997-2018 : SAMPWEIGHT
• 1993-1995 : SUPP2WT