Meanwhile, European health officials remain convinced about the safety of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine

Several major European countries have halted use of the vaccine, while reports of blood-clotting in some patients are investigated.

But the WHO says clotting hasn't occurred at higher rates than in the general population.

The European Medicines Agency says the issues aren't unexpected, but it's started a rigorous analysis to determine if the vaccine and clotting are connected in any way.

The reports DON'T relate to the Pfizer vaccine being used in New Zealand -- or AstraZenica vaccines produced outside Europe.