TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - With the chances of a vaccine or vaccines being made available soon, hospitals across the country have been preparing for proper storage.

Reporter Erin Wilson spoke with Dr. Jeremy Blanchard, the chief medical officer of North Mississippi Health Services, about the vaccine.

As for an upcoming vaccine, Blanchard said there are two types of vaccines that could be distributed soon.

"Our first surge, our big population were African American males," he said. "If we look at our surge now, it's in older white men."

The shift is due to those who choose to wear masks and those who don’t, he added. He urged the community to mask up, adding it may not be required much longer.

"Do you want to be locked down? Do you want to be quarantined? Do you want us not to have an economy? Because if you go no vaccine that's exactly what you're doing."

The vaccines require sub-zero tempeatures while being stored. Blanchard said NMMC is preparated.

He expects the vaccine will first be made available to health care workers and people with disabilities.

Once distributed to the community, he feels the vaccine is safe for everyone to take.

"I have absolutely zero reason to believe you're going to have any chronic problems or anybody will have chronic problems associated with this vaccine."

Without the vaccine, the chances of developing chronic problems are high if the virus is contracted, he added.

Although a vaccine may be available this year, the doctor expects a longer wait for the general public.