Anti-Vaxxer Who Nearly Died Of COVID-19 Celebrates His Return Home By Getting Jabbed

An anti-vaxxer who almost died of COVID-19 in England has celebrated his return home by getting vaccinated against the virus. The man now wants to use his experience to persuade others to get jabbed.

Andrew Pugh, 52, initially did not take COVID-19 seriously and even refused to get the vaccine after reading conspiracy theories on social media. He only realized the severity of the virus when he tested positive in December 2021.

Pugh was rushed to a hospital in Worcestershire after he complained of breathing difficulty. His condition deteriorated and his family was told that he had a 50/50 chance of survival, reported Derby Telegraph.

Fortunately, he managed to survive. He returned home last week after a six-week battle with the infection. The first thing he did after getting released from the hospital was to get his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

"I got released from the hospital and the very first thing I did was have my jab. It's a huge relief to have the jab. I don't want anyone else to go through what I have put my family through. If I had my time again I would definitely have had the vaccine as soon as it was available," Pugh told The Yorkshire Post Monday.

However, it will take some time before he fully recovers.

"Everyday is a struggle — it still takes my breath away. Since being home, I have had to learn breathing techniques to help to every day tasks. You have to really calm yourself down. Even walking up the stairs is still a massive challenge for me. The doctors did tell me it could around four to six weeks to start feeling better. I still have breathing apparatus at home which is a struggle sometimes and I am still constantly coughing," he added.

Pugh is happy to be back home and is spending quality time with his children and grandchildren, who are "spoiling" him.

"I am a father of three and a grandfather of eight so I want to spend as much time with them as possible now. We're planning to go a visit some places with kids and grandchildren, as a family. Knowing that you could have lost your life, it puts everything into prospective. With this time off, I am going to treasure it," he said further.

Pugh is now begging others not to make the same mistake he did. He is also encouraging people to get vaccinated on time.

"I didn't get the vaccine, I thought I was being the hero. If it wasn't for the nurses and the fact I'm a non-smoker I wouldn't be alive. My message is simply this: please people get your vaccinations. You don't want to end up like me," he said.