The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services is urging residents to participate in the 2026 National Immunization Survey, set to take place from April through June, with a possible extension into July.
The survey, conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, will collect data on vaccination rates among children ages 19 to 35 months and adolescents ages 13 to 17.
Health officials said the survey uses random-dial telephone calls to reach households and will ask parents or guardians to provide information on their children’s vaccination history. Participants may also be asked to authorize contact with their child’s health care provider to verify immunization records.
DPHSS emphasized that participation is critical to evaluating Guam’s vaccination coverage and improving public health programs.
“The data collected is important for assessing Guam’s vaccination response rate,” the agency said in a release.
The information gathered will be submitted to the CDC for analysis and used to compare Guam’s immunization rates with those of other states and territories. Officials said the data also helps identify populations at risk of vaccine-preventable diseases and assess the effectiveness of vaccination initiatives.
The survey will be conducted using several off-island phone numbers, primarily with a 404 area code. Residents who receive calls from these numbers are encouraged to cooperate.
For more information, residents can contact NORC toll-free at (877) 220-4805 or reach the DPHSS Immunization Program at (671) 735-7143, 735-7148, or 735-7160.