An increasing number of people in the Netherlands now say they are willing to be vaccinated against coronavirus, according to a new survey by Ipsos on behalf of broadcaster NOS.

Around half the representative group of 1,000 people said they would definitely be vaccinated and 25% said they ‘probably’ would. Earlier Ipsos surveys put the willingness to be vaccinated at 66% and 69%.

One in 10 people said they did not know, 8% would definitely not be vaccinated and 7% probably not. Those opposed to vaccination said they were worried about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, as well as side effects.

The over-55s are far more willing to accept being vaccinated than the under-35s.

The government vaccination programme will be rolled out nationwide from Wednesday, with the first symbolic jab being given to a nursing home worker in the Veghel mass testing centre.

Nursing home and acute care staff are first on the vaccination list, to be followed by nursing and care home residents.

By January 18, 25 large vaccination centres should be fully operational nationwide with capacity to vaccinate 66,000 care workers per week.

The government hopes that all healthcare workers and nursing home residents will be vaccinated by March, when the housebound and over 60s come on board.

The Volkskrant has published a diagram showing when different population groups will become eligible for the vaccine, the type of vaccine and location for the jab.