HHS expands flu PSAs with spots featuring Elmo, local governors

WASHINGTON The Department of Health and Human Services on Monday announced the availability of 13 new 30-second flu radio public service announcements, featuring 13 of America’s governors and Elmo from "Sesame Street."

The messages, which will be promoted to radio stations across the country, promote key flu prevention messages to parents and children.

Children and young adults continue to be disproportionately affected by H1N1, HHS reported. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of the hospitalizations from 2009 H1N1 flu reported recently were people age 24 and younger.  That’s why HHS has teamed up with Sesame Workshop and other partners to promote flu prevention PSAs aimed at educating children and their parents about the importance of staying healthy during flu season.

“Elmo has emerged as one of our best partners in fighting the flu this year,” stated HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “That’s why we are excited for Elmo to join some of the nation’s governors in promoting important flu prevention tips. We know that kids are especially vulnerable against H1N1, and we hope that hearing flu prevention tips from Elmo will help them stay healthy and flu free.”

These new 30-second radio ads are designed for broadcast in states around the country. All of the new ads are available for download at http://www.flu.gov/psa/psacongress.html.

The new radio PSAs include recordings from Govs. Jodi Rell, Conn.; Chet Culver, Iowa; Mark Parkinson, Kansas; Jennifer Granholm, Mich.; Jay Nixon, Mo.; Bev Perdue, N.C.; John Hoeven, N.D.; Ted Strickland, Ohio; Brad Henry, Okla.; Ted Kulongoski, Ore.; Jim Douglas, Vt.; Chris Gregoire, Wash.; and Dave Freudenthal, Wyo.