The federal government is maintaining confidence in the AstraZeneca vaccine despite its use being suspended in parts of Europe.
Denmark, Norway and Iceland have temporarily stopped using the vaccine while authorities investigate whether it is linked to blood clots.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he is confident that Australia has the right quality control measures in place to ensure the safe use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
"The batches we distribute in Australia are tested here in Australia. So we have a very robust process for examining that."
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said Australian authorities are looking at the evidence on the AstraZeneca vaccine as a whole.
"The way in which this rollout has worked, not just here but around the world, means that we do have an enormous amount of data," he told Nine on Friday.
"And the conclusion here is that the vaccine is safe, it will continue to roll out."
Meanwhile, the head of Australia's health department has come under fire for "dangerous" suggestions one coronavirus jab offers full protection against the disease.
Brendan Murphy clarified his evidence after telling the Senate's coronavirus response committee that one dose was akin to being fully vaccinated.
"Don't you think it's a bit dangerous for you to be sitting here saying 'well one shot gives you protection'?" Labor senator and committee chair Katy Gallagher told the hearing in Canberra.
"Part of what we need to do here with the rollout is making sure people get two shots."
Professor Murphy, who was chief health officer at the onset of the pandemic, said one dose was "fully protective" but needed to be topped up.
"Of course we want everyone to get two shots," he said.
He dismissed concerns the government would not reach its original goal of offering all adults two doses by the end of October as a "semantic" argument.
"In practical terms, they are fully vaccinated because they've got that highly protective first dose," Professor Murphy said.
He said one dose "doesn't last as long" and should be topped up.
The health chief denied he was providing political cover for the Morrison government's lofty vaccination targets.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has pointed to two unpublished studies looking at the real-world effectiveness of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines, which are being used in Australia.
In Scotland, a single dose of either prevented 85 to 94 per cent of coronavirus- related hospitalisation 28 to 34 days after vaccination.
Public Health England found people with a single dose aged over 70 were a 60 to 70 per cent lower risk of symptomatic infection 28 days after receiving the jab.
Updated advice on the AstraZeneca vaccine, which the vast majority of Australians will receive, recommended it is more effective with a 12-week gap than four weeks as initially advised.
Professor Murphy said it was unlikely every adult would have the chance to receive two doses by the end of October.
"We don't know whether we'll be able to achieve two shots by October," he told the committee.
"All I'm saying is that with a 12-week interval it's going to be difficult."
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at
Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: , , , , , , , .
