© 2024 WGLT
A public service of Illinois State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Vaccination Campaign Urges Peorians to Roll Up Their Sleeves

Peoria City/County Health Department

A campaign will soon roll out that urges Peoria-area residents to get vaccinated—even before the coronavirus vaccine is widely available.

Reminiscent of the famous Rosie the Riveter “We Can Do It” poster from World War II, area residents will be pictured rolling up their sleeves to receive a shot of the vaccine, said Stacy Peterson, strategic communications manager for the city of Peoria, who is working on the campaign along with area officials from Peoria County and the Peoria City/County Health Department.

“For the past eight months, in addition to my duties at City Hall, I've been working with a team at the health department sharing information on the pandemic response through regular press briefings, social media and media requests,” she said.

“We're now facing a new challenge--a campaign to encourage vaccination. It's going to take some time to make the vaccine widely available, and feel it's most effective to hear from the people within our own community,” said Peterson.

The concept of the social-media and print campaign is to show individuals getting ready to be vaccinated with a message of why, she said. “We want the community to be aware of the vaccine even before it becomes more accessible. We can’t wait until the vaccine is widely available,” said Peterson. 

Monica Hendrickson, executive director of the Peoria City/County Health Department, was the first person pictured rolling up her sleeve for the campaign.

We’re living in unprecedented times when information changes by the minute. WCBU will continue to be here for you, keeping you up-to-date with the live, local and trusted news you need. Help ensure WCBU can continue with its in-depth and comprehensive COVID-19 coverage as the situation evolves by making a contribution.

Copyright 2021 WCBU. To see more, visit WCBU.

Steve Tarter retired from the Peoria Journal Star in 2019 after spending 20 years at the paper as both reporter and business editor.