The
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday unveiled a new series of public service announcements designed to encourage African-Americans to get the H1N1 flu vaccine.
“We have a critical opportunity to protect ourselves and our communities by getting vaccinated against the H1N1 flu,” said Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, M.D., M.B.A.
“The H1N1 flu is a serious illness that can be especially dangerous for people with underlying conditions such as asthma and diabetes. This new PSA campaign is an important tool to communicate that the H1N1 vaccine is safe, effective, and the best defense against the flu.”
HHS joined with the Ad Council, and ad agency Burrell Communications to produce and distribute four new radio PSAs urging African-Americans to get the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine. The campaign includes 30-second and 60-second radio spots emphasizing that the H1N1 flu vaccine is safe and effective and that it is especially important for people with asthma, diabetes, and other underlying conditions to get vaccinated.
The H1N1 flu has infected 47 million people and led to more than 200,000 hospitalizations, and nearly 10,000 deaths between mid-April 2009 and Nov.14, 2009. African-Americans have been hit especially hard by the H1N1 flu because of higher rates of asthma, diabetes, and other underlying conditions that make individuals more susceptible to complications from the H1N1 flu.
The Ad Council is distributing the new PSAs to radio stations nationwide and they will air in advertising time that will be donated by the media. The new PSAs were released in conjunction with “Underlying Health Conditions Flu Vaccination Day” as part of National Influenza Vaccination Week.
National Influenza Vaccination Week (Jan. 10-16) is an observance that was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as fostering greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond.
Previously, HHS and the Ad Council have launched PSAs designed to encourage all Americans to take steps to protect themselves from the 2009 H1N1 flu virus, including avoiding close contact with those who are sick and washing your hands often, especially after coughing and sneezing.
