Due to a lack of faith in the federal government's vaccine approval process, California, Washington, Oregon and Nevada have joined to form their own committee to approve any COVID-19 vaccines for use in their states. | Stock Photo at Getty Images
Due to a lack of faith in the federal government's vaccine approval process, California, Washington, Oregon and Nevada have joined to form their own committee to approve any COVID-19 vaccines for use in their states. | Stock Photo at Getty Images
California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada have joined together to create their own separate organization to review the safety and efficacy of any U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved COVID-19 vaccine.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said that California "has led with science and data" in explaining why the states would disregard the FDA's guidance and instead create their own, according to a news release from Newsom's office.
"When a vaccine becomes available, we will leverage our scientific expertise to verify its safety to give everyone the confidence they need to make important decisions regarding the health of their families,” Newsom was quoted as saying in the release.
“We believe in science, public health and safety. That is why I am pleased that Washington is joining California and other western states in this effort,” Washington Gov. Jay Inslee was quoted as saying in the release. “Any COVID vaccine must be guided by the expertise of scientists and medical professionals and that’s just what this workgroup will do."
Inslee did not elaborate on what made the medical experts and scientists involved in developing and approving vaccines unqualified or in-expert.
Alerts Sign-up