Newsom Says California Will Review FDA-Approved Coronavirus Vaccines

California Governor Gavin Newsom said Monday that the state will independently review coronavirus vaccines before distributing.

According to San Francisco Chronicle, Newsom announced the creation of a scientific review committee to follow coronavirus vaccine candidates.

This 11-member committee will review all coronavirus vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). From there, they will find out if the vaccines are safe and effective enough to distribute all over California.

The California panel will also review initial plans for distribution of the vaccine.

"We will do our own independently reviewed process with our world-class experts that just happen to live here in the state of California," Newsom said.

The panel members will specialize in topics such as epidemiology, biostatistics and infectious disease said a Reuters report.

Doubts in Coronavirus Vaccines

Newsom said this is an added safeguard amid concerns that the White House is rushing the process, reported Los Angeles Times.

The vaccines have become increasingly politicized as the elections draw near. Many Americans grew concerned that there politics is damaging the safety of the vaccines.

The FDA and several drug makers have already vowed that they'll be prioritizing to science instead of speed. Now, states are also making sure that Americans can trust the safe vaccines once approved.

It appears to be the safest move to encourage trust in the COVID-19 vaccines as polls show a decline in confidence in it.

California's review panel will review the approved COVID-19 vaccines regardless of the results of the November 3 election, Newsom said.

"No matter who the next president is, we're going to maintain our vigilance," he added. The governor stated that he wants a second set of eyes on the vaccines to review the information that is being provided.

Despite the hopeful projections offered by health officials, Newsom said California will not have a widely available vaccine this year.

"Don't anticipate or expect that you can go down to the local pharmacy any time in this calendar year and likely get a vaccination," he said.

The more realistic timeline to expect a widely distributed vaccine will be by mid-2021. First responders and healthcare workers will be the state's priority in distributing vaccines.

LaVonna B. Lewis, professor of public policy at the USC Sol Price School told Los Angeles Times it may be too early to tell if the decision will instill more faith in coronavirus vaccines.

She said to assume that people will immediately trust the process is "unrealistic." But she added that ways to restore confidence is needed.

For Lewis, the state's seal of approval may help in encouraging Californians to get vaccinated.

They typically trust vaccines but are doubtful due to concerns of rushing. The state's stamp of approval might assure them further, she said.

Newsom Mirrors Cuomo's Plan on Vaccines

The California governor's decision copies the September announcement of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

New York will also create a task force of health experts to review the FDA's vaccine approvals.

Newsom's announcement comes after the statement of Dr. Anthony Fauci stating he's confident in FDA approved vaccines.

Speaking with CBS News, Fauci said he thinks the U.S. will know if there's a safe and effective vaccine by November or December this year.

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