(WSIL) -- The number of places to get a COVID-19 vaccine is expanding, but some local pharmacies aren't involved.
One pharmacy owner has gone through the steps to serve his customers, but for now it is a waiting game.
Independent pharmacy owners like Ben Calcaterra say he's frustrated that his business still hasn't received vaccines like big chains CVS and Walgreens.
"I have gone through the certification process, both with the state and the CDC. We bought freezers that are capable of holding frozen vaccines. We have data loggers that are required to monitor those temperatures, we are preparing our employees to go through extra certification to become immunizers to help with the effort. We've also purchased online software for scheduling," he said.
. Calcaterra says leaving them out could prevent low-income and rural individuals from getting their vaccine quickly.
"It's very important that when you look at independent community pharmacists that have a one-on-one relationship with their customers and patients...Covid vaccine is a touchy subject that they have a lot of questions and are unsure about. A lot of people are not sure if they're ready for that. Having that relationship with their pharmacist is a great tool to have that conversation," he said.
CVS and Walgreens have been . Calcaterra says he wants to now do his part to help keep people healthy.
"That's what we're here to do. I'm not looking at this to make a profit because there's not very much profit in these vaccines at all," he said.
for vaccines, but until Governor JB Pritzker approves, it's just a waiting game for customers.
"Since the very beginning they've been calling every single day asking, 'when will we be able to receive a vaccine from you?' And unfortunately, I still have to tell them, 'we're waiting to find out,'" he said.
The , more pharmacies can participate.
