Pharmacist Nidhin Mohan says independent and locally owned pharmacies, like New Island Pharmacy in Deer Park, are gearing up to receive and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine.

"Setting up proper storage facilities, setting up proper administration techniques and staffing that is required so that we will be ready when this is all rolled out," he says.

Pharmacists also tell News 12 they are waiting to find out exactly which vaccine is going to be rolled out to the general public, and say that locations anticipate having the refrigeration and storage for both.

Mohan is a member of the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, and says independent pharmacies are key to ensuring unbiased distribution of the vaccine.

"Independent pharmacies are strategically placed in all diverse communities, in all sects of community, in all socio-economic strata of community and the accessibility of independent pharmacies are the most when you compare with any other health care provider," he says.

The group recently sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo detailing their support to ensure that large pharmacy chains are not the only places that receive the vaccine.

"This vaccine should just not be given by big box stores, because they may not be able to reach out to the underserved population, in rural parts of the country as well as the poorer parts of the country," says Mohan.