More than two in five under-30s in Southampton have yet to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, figures suggest – weeks after they were invited to get their first jab.

Despite renewed appeals from politicians and a host of pop-up vaccination centres across the country, the latest national statistics suggest a hesitancy among some people aged between 18 and 29.

Professor Adam Finn, member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, believes many younger people think they are safe from the virus despite a recent surge in Covid hospital admissions, and warned people “not to die of ignorance”.

NHS England data shows in Southampton, 35,773 people aged between 18 and 29 had received a first dose of a vaccine by August 7 – at least 56% of the age group, based on the number of people on the National Immunisation Management Service.

It meant around 44% of this cohort were yet to receive a jab at that point, compared to 29% among adults of all ages.

Across the South East, 33% of people aged between 18 and 29 had not received a first jab by August 7.

All adults in England have been able to book a first dose since June 17.

The low vaccination rate among younger people comes amid a warning that more than a fifth admitted to hospital with Covid-19 are aged between 18 and 34 - a figure that is four times higher than the peak last winter.

Chief executive Amanda Pritchard said vaccines had a “major impact” in keeping people out of hospital and saving lives.

Walk-in centres have been set-up in Southampton over the past couple of months.