ALBANY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he will set up his own review board to double check any federally approved COVID-19 vaccine, citing his distrust of President Trump and calling Washington’s efforts to fast-track the drug “politicized” ahead of the November election

Raising concerns over the drug’s administration in New York, Cuomo argued Thursday that a second team of handpicked “experts” must also review the vaccine’s efficacy ahead of getting the green light in the Empire State.

He named the first of two committees, the first comprised of nearly 20 government, labor and health officials — including Ken Raske, head of the powerful healthcare lobby Greater New York Hospital Association; Northwell Health chief Michael Dowling, who sat by the governor’s side at many coronavirus briefings throughout the pandemic’s height; 1199 SEIU’s George Gresham; as well as Cuomo-loyalists, the new SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras and state Budget Director Robert Mujica.

This review committee will advise the governor on proper implementation, distribution, data collection and safety protocols, “so I can look at the camera and I can say to New Yorkers that it’s safe to take. I want to make sure that we know it’s safe to take,” Cuomo explained.

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