Hesitancy is low in the Netherlands but authorities say all encouragement is welcome (Picture: Hollandse Hoogte/Rex)

The Netherlands is offering free raw fish to residents who take the Covid jab in a bid to increase uptake.

It is the latest country to offer an incentive to tackle vaccine hesitancy after Russia offered cars and Washington state spliffs.

While we know which one we’d prefer, pickled herring – or ‘Hollandse nieuwe’ – is a traditional delicacy which the Dutch consume around 75 million of per year.

Batches are being distributed to vaccine centres around the country as an encouragement for people to get their jabs.

‘A herring for a jab. Who could possibly resist?’, said Agnes Leewis, director of the Dutch fish marketing board.

Hesitancy is low in the Netherlands but authorities say all encouragement is welcome.

Pickled herring – or ‘Hollandse nieuwe’ – is a traditional delicacy in the Netherlands (Picture: Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock)

Andre Rouvoet, head of the Dutch vaccination rollout, receives the first keg of Dutch New Herring (Picture: Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock)

The annual arrival of Hollandse nieuwe on June 15 is usually celebrated with ceremonies and flag-waving.