Australia has no plans to halt the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, authorities said on Tuesday, even though several European countries paused administering the vaccine after reports of possible serious side-effects. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Cyprus joined several other European nations on Monday in temporarily suspending vaccinations with AstraZeneca shots after reports of isolated cases of bleeding, blood clots, and low platelet count in some of the nations.

“While the European Medicines Agency is investigating these events, it has reinforced its view that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is successful in protecting against COVID-19 and should continue to be used in the rollout,” Australia Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said in a statement. She said the government remained confident in the vaccine as there was currently no evidence that it caused blood clots though the side-effects reported would be investigated as a ‘precautionary measure’.

• Cupid Hits Fresh 52-Week High on Rs 128 Crore Block Deal
• Ather Energy Slips Despite $200 Million Fundraise Buzz
• Shyam Metalics Slips Even as Q1 Volumes Surge
• Unihealth Hospitals Shares Hit 5% Upper Circuit on Plans to Raise Stake 
• Oswal Pumps, Shakti Pumps Rally on Solar Order Wins

AstraZeneca said on Sunday a review of more than 17 million people inoculated with its vaccine in the European Union and the UK showed no evidence of an increased risk of blood clots. The majority of Australia’s 25 million people will be administered the AstraZeneca vaccine and authorities have secured nearly 54 million doses, with 50 million to be produced locally from the end of March.