Levels of vaccine hesitancy are falling among younger age groups, new research suggests.

Among men under 45, confidence in the COVID-19 jab has risen by 17% – increasing to 27% of women under 45.

Greater numbers of adults in this age range now say they will get vaccinated, too.

The figures from ORB International and the Vaccine Confidence Project suggest 63% would definitely get the jab, with a further 21% likely to accept.

According to NHS England, there has also been a marked increase in the number of Christians and Muslims who intend to book an appointment.

Vaccine uptake also more than tripled among Black British and Asian communities between February and April.

Dr Nikki Kanani, a GP who serves as the NHS national medical director for primary care, said: “Tackling vaccine hesitancy has been at the heart of the NHS vaccination programme, the biggest in NHS history, which has so far delivered more than 55 million doses across England.”

A series of measures have been used to reach people from all communities and backgrounds.

NHS teams have engaged with faith leaders in their local communities, pop-up clinics have been established in sports venues and places of worship, and celebrities such as Lenny Henry and Adil Ray have also lent their support to the campaign.

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Dr Farzana Hussain, GP at The Project Surgery, said: “The increasing vaccine uptake among various ethnic and religious communities is no happy accident, it is fantastic to see the hard work of colleagues rewarded.”

She added that “more and more Muslims, as well as other previously hesitant groups, are increasingly convinced that the vaccine is the right decision”.

The UK has one of the highest levels of vaccine uptake in the world.

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Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We have vaccinated over three-quarters of UK adults with a first dose and half of adults with a second dose.

“Each vaccine brings us one step closer to putting this pandemic behind us.

“So when you get the call, get the jab.”

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