Many today are looking forward to the possibility of life getting back to normal after pharmaceutical giant Pfizer announced it's on track to release a COVID-19 vaccine sometime early next year.

Since the start of the pandemic back in March, many employees have been working from home. But with the promise of a COVID-19 vaccine expected to be released in the next couple of months, some workers are feeling anxious to physically return to their jobs.

Dr. Anthony Harris is the chief innovation officer for WorkCare, a California-based company that provides businesses nationwide with safety and health practices to keep employees safe on the job.

Dr. Harris says Pfizer’s breakthrough is a game changer in the battle against COVID-19.

He says schools and businesses that want to return back to a traditional setting should start preparing those involved. Dr. Harris urges businesses to partner with their local health providers and clinics to make the vaccine more accessible to workers.

In the meantime, Dr. Harris says businesses need to continue to educate and inform workers on the importance of getting vaccinated.

“The other thing that employees need to be doing right now is education in a big way; a good notion on whether you have a good workforce is willing to except the COVID-19 vaccine is there a survey like how many gone out and got the flu shot,” says Dr. Harris. “If your numbers are dismal, then you got some work to do to educate employees on the safety for first and foremost.”

As the nation waits for a cure, Dr. Harris says universities, schools and businesses need to continue to encourage social distancing, hand washing and masks to help stop the spread of COVID-19.