Wellbee
Agency | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
---|---|
Market | Unvaccinated Americans |
Language | English |
Product |
|
Release date(s) | 1962 |
Produced by | Harold M. Walker |
Country | United States |
Wellbee was an American cartoon character and public health mascot that first appeared in 1962. He was an anthropomorphic bumblebee created by Hollywood artist Harold M. Walker at the request of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) public information officer George M. Stenhouse. The character became CDC's national symbol of public health at the time, and was widely used to promote immunization and other public health campaigns in the United States following the Vaccination Assistance Act of 1962.
Origin
Wellbee, a standing cartoon character bumblebee with a smiling round face representing "well-being", was created by the Hollywood artist Harold M. Walker, at the request of CDC's public information officer George M. Stenhouse.[1][2] Referred to by the CDC as "he", Wellbee was first revealed in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper on March 11, 1962, following a press release that described the character as "a pleasant-faced, bright–eyed, happy cartoon character, who is the personification of good health."[1]
The purpose of the character was the promotion of preventive health measures and the importance of vaccination.[2] At the time, the US government had substantially increased funding and new programs in public health, and with the support of the Vaccination Assistance Act of 1962, sponsored the CDC in its educational efforts, the symbol of which became Wellbee.[2][3]
Campaigns
The marketing campaign by the CDC planned appearances of Wellbee at public health events and in leaflets, newspapers and posters, and on radio and television, beginning with promoting
The bee visited schools in Honolulu, appeared on a
Effect
Within a year, Stenhouse noted "Wellbee, the 'health educator's friend', had a busy year.[1] He was particularly active in promoting community polio programs. He spoke Spanish in New Mexico; he came to life in costume in Hawaii and led a parade."[1]
As a result of the Vaccination Assistance Act, 50 million people were vaccinated against polio between 1962 and 1964 and seven million children received the vaccine that prevents diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, resulting in a fall in cases of polio and diphtheria.[2] In 1965 the Vaccination Assistance Act was extended.[2]
Several vaccine mascots have been created since Wellbee.
Gallery
Public health posters featuring Wellbee:
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Wellbee, the 'health educator's friend' | David J. Sencer CDC Museum | CDC". www.cdc.gov. April 30, 2021. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-226-92376-5.
- ISBN 978-3-319-96348-8.
- ISBN 978-0-19-959661-4.
- ISBN 978-1-4671-1320-5.
- ISBN 978-1-4358-9436-5.
- ^ a b "Details - Public Health Image Library(PHIL)". phil.cdc.gov. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
- ^ a b Berger, Miriam (February 11, 2021). "The weird and wacky mascots promoting coronavirus vaccines around the world". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 8, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
- ^ "Details - Public Health Image Library(PHIL)". phil.cdc.gov. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
- ^ "Details - Public Health Image Library(PHIL)". phil.cdc.gov. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
- ^ "Details - Public Health Image Library(PHIL)". phil.cdc.gov. Retrieved January 8, 2022.