Federal politicians could receive a coronavirus vaccine to shore up public confidence in its safety once the medicines regulator approves one.

Minister for Health Greg Hunt has discussed the issue with his opposite number, Labor’s Chris Bowen.

“None of us want to be jumping the queue, we’re quite acutely aware of that. But nor do we want to show any lack of confidence,” Mr Hunt told reporters in Canberra.

He said a group of MPs and senators from all side of politics could be put forward on a voluntary basis as a demonstration of the vaccine’s safety.