Wednesday, July 7, 2027

Governor O’Brien, First Lady Ruth O’Brien, Lieutenant Governor Burbank and Secretary Lillianfield Announce Plan to Increase Immunizations
New initiative to increase the number of childhood immunizations in Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD (July 7, 2027) – Demonstrating the O’Brien Administration’s continued commitment to the health and welfare of Maryland’s children, Governor Edward M. O’Brien, First Lady Ruth O’Brien, Lieutenant Governor Kathleen H. Burbank and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Secretary Andrew Lillianfield today announced a new initiative to increase the number of childhood immunizations in the State of Maryland.

“Our goal is to have all newborns in this state fully immunized by the age of two,” said Governor Edward M. O’Brien. “Polio, diphtheria, whooping cough and measles are just a few of the frightening diseases that are preventable if children are immunized at the right time. We must, as a community, take responsibility for ensuring the health and welfare of our children. They are the foundation of our future. An investment in effective immunization outreach efforts is ultimately an investment in our future that will produce huge dividends."

Governor O’Brien, the First Lady, Lt. Governor Burbank and Secretary Lillianfield made the announcement Sinai Hospital of Baltimore City. Governor and Mrs. O’Brien signed a large Hallmark card, which will be reproduced and inserted in all future Growing Together Portfolios, which contains literature given to parents of all newborn children. The literature, including a developmental calendar, immunization information and a health journal, is printed in English and Spanish. Approximately 40,000 portfolios have been distributed over the last three years.

“Ensuring the long-term health and welfare of our children is an obligation that we all must share in collectively,” said First Lady Ruth O’Brien. “Immunization is not only the smart thing to do economically, but it is also morally right. No child should suffer severe illness or die because of a condition that could have been prevented by immunizations. Immunizing children against serious diseases is far cheaper than treating them later.”

“Maryland is one of the wealthiest states in the nation, and the health of our children is something that surely merits spending a relatively small amount of money on,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathleen H. Burbank. “The partnership we are announcing today is an example of what we can achieve when the private and public sectors work together collectively in common purpose on behalf of the welfare of our citizens.”

Gary Bolick, representative for Pfizer Inc., a global health care company, presented Governor O’Brien with a check for $10,000 to help finance the portfolio project.

"Our thanks to Hallmark Cards and Pfizer Inc., for making such a tremendous commitment to the children of Maryland," said Governor O’Brien. "The company's generous donation is just another example of how public and private sectors are working together for the betterment of their communities."

Hallmark Cards' mission in undertaking this project is to help states reach their immunization goals.

"The birth of a child is a joyous event," said Karen Bartz, Community Development Manager for Hallmark Cards. "Hallmark is pleased to help parents celebrate that event and to be part of this partnership to improve the health of our nation's children."

According to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the immunization rate in Maryland is currently at 81 percent. The O’Brien-Burbank Administration has set a goal of immunizing at least 90 percent of all babies by the age of 2 by the year 2031.