ORLANDO, Fla. — With the first of the COVID-19 vaccines on their way to hospitals and distribution sites across the country, including Florida, health care workers and people in long-term care facilities are preparing to be the first to receive it.

Dr. Sajid Chaudhary, an infectious disease specialist in Central Florida, said he will getting the vaccine at an AdventHealth facility.

“I am ready for it. I would be the first one to get it," Chaudhary said. "There is a certain number of people that can be vaccinated per day; hopefully Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (I) can get that."

He expects the vaccine to protect health care workers who are dealing with an increase in COVID-19 patients, who have surpassed more than 1 million cases across the Sunshine State.

Orange County has more than 60,000 cases, which is the fifth highest for counties across Florida. At the national level, many hospitals are filling up again.

“Right now in many places, the health care providers, nurses, and doctors, they've gotten tired and fatigued over the last nine months, taking care of the patients,” Chaudhary said. “Hospitals are already being overwhelmed because of the number of cases coming to hospital."

He's also hoping that after the vaccine gets out to long-term care facilities and then later the general public, it will play a key role in stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

“Hopefully — it’s not going happen right now — but at least in the coming months, maybe three to six months, we will have control over the disease."

As the general public waits for access to the COVID-19 vaccines approved and in development, Chaudhary said this is not time to let your guard down.

He said people need to continue to wear masks and socially distance, especially with the holidays coming up.