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Immunization Greeting Card
The following facts and information about Hallmark's "For America's Babies" program are offered to clarify some recent reports about the program.
Through For America's Babies, now in its 18th year, Hallmark provides customized cards to state health departments. The cards convey good wishes on the birth of a baby and include a detachable section where parents may keep the child's immunization record, as a reminder of immunization recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Currently 27 states/territories are enrolled in the program. Hallmark supplies the cards free of charge, and the state coordinates delivery through hospitals, county health departments or direct mail. We contact the CDC annually to confirm that the immunization record correctly represents CDC recommendations.
The program began in 1995, when a child advocacy organization based in Kansas City, Mo., home of Hallmark's headquarters, approached the company with the idea. The program was well-received in Missouri, and expanded to Kansas the following year. Based on response in these two states and interest expressed by others, Hallmark made a commitment to donate cards to all interested states beginning in 1997.
Updated 2/12/2013
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