Local Health Workers Preparing for Vaccine Volunteers Readying Their Arms for Shot against Smallpox

Greco, Carmen, Jr., Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)

Byline: Carmen Greco Jr. Daily Herald Staff Writer

Jessica Gerdes knows it could leave a permanent, dime-sized scar on her arm.

She knows it carries health risks, though they're somewhat remote in her case.

And she knows - hopes - it may end up being completely unnecessary.

But later this month, the DuPage County Health Department nurse is scheduled to roll up her sleeve to get a smallpox vaccination at a special county immunization clinic.

Gerdes, 52, will join the ranks of local healthcare workers who have volunteered to be among the first in the area to receive the shots as part of the county's preparedness for a potential bioterrorist attack.

Should the smallpox virus be introduced here in a …

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Publication information: Article title: Local Health Workers Preparing for Vaccine Volunteers Readying Their Arms for Shot against Smallpox. Contributors: Greco, Carmen, Jr. - Author. Newspaper title: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL). Publication date: May 10, 2003. Page number: 3. © 2009 Paddock Publications. COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group.

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