Pittsburgh (Nov. 14, 2022) – UPMC Health Plan announced today that it has created a Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood audio story to support caregivers as they talk to children younger than 5 about getting vaccines—whether it’s the flu shot, a COVID-19 vaccine, or another well-child vaccination. The audio story is available now on Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant devices.

The free, four-minute audio story was created in partnership with Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s educational media organization behind multiple acclaimed PBS Kids shows. The audio story details Daniel’s efforts to be brave as he prepares to get a vaccine at his doctor’s office.

"Fred Rogers’ legacy is one of supporting children and their emotional and development needs. Our audio story partnership with Fred Rogers’ Productions continues this important legacy,” said Diane Holder, President, and Chief Executive Officer, UPMC Health Plan. “This audio story is a great way to help our youngest neighbors get more comfortable with going to the doctor for vaccinations and other important health care services."

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is an Emmy® Award-winning, animated preschool program that models age-appropriate life lessons, strategies, and skills for children. It was the first TV series inspired by the iconic Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and it invites young viewers into the world of 4-year-old Daniel Tiger.

"Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood has the ability to help children and caregivers through challenging moments in their growth and learning journey," said Paul Siefken, President and CEO, Fred Rogers Productions. "It is exciting to have the opportunity to reach families in a new way as Daniel models the process of getting a shot for little ones."

Caregivers and their children can listen to the story on Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant devices by saying, "Ask UPMC Health Plan for a Daniel Tiger story." The audio story is broken into three parts: Daniel’s nervous feelings, Daniel getting the shot, and a celebration after Daniel gets his shot. This is to address best-practice recommendations regarding children’s comprehension.

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About UPMC Insurance Services

The UPMC Insurance Services Division serves more than 4 million members and is owned and operated by UPMC, a world-renowned health care provider and insurer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The UPMC Insurance Services Division provides commercial products through UPMC Health Plan for both groups and individuals. Its commercial products also include workers' compensation and employee assistance from nationally known Workpartners®. Government products include Medicare Advantage plans (UPMC for Life); special needs plans for those who are eligible for Medicare and Medical Assistance (UPMC for Life Complete Care and UPMC Community HealthChoices); a Medical Assistance plan (UPMC for You); and Children's Health Insurance Program plans (UPMC for Kids). Community Care Behavioral Health Organization—one of the nation's largest nonprofit managed care behavioral health organizations—is also part of the Insurance Services Division. Community Care offers a full range of services to commercial and Medical Assistance members. For more information, visit upmchealthplan.com.

About Fred Rogers Productions

Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the nonprofit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program and extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly rated children’s series, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods, have earned 30 Emmy Awards, among other important honors. Newly launched in 2021 on PBS KIDS is Donkey Hodie, the innovative puppet series inspired by characters from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood; and most recently Alma’s Way, an animated series created by Sonia Manzano, known to generations of children and adults as Maria on Sesame Street. For more information, visit fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

UPMC Health Plan Creates Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Audio Story in Partnership with Fred Rogers Productions