First Man In World To Receive COVID-19 Vaccine Is Dead. Sadly, the pensioner from Coventry died last Thursday, May 20, at the same hospital, after suffering from a set of unrelated illness.
William Shakespeare, the first man in the world to be vaccinated against COVID-19 on December 8 last year, has died aged 81.
Local councillor Jayne Innes has described him as a “much-loved figure” with the Coventry Labour party, The Mirror reports.
Ms Innes said:
“He was such a lovely man, one who had a real commitment to making his local area better.
“During lockdown local families will have enjoyed walking amongst the trees planted by Bill and his colleagues in Allesley back in the 1980s.
“He was also very involved with the creation of the Coundon Wood in 2005 and in fundraising for the purchase of Elkin Wood, now managed by the Woodland Trust in 1997.”
In a tribute, released through the trust, his wife, Joy, said: “Bill was so grateful for being offered the opportunity to become one of the first people in the world to be given the vaccine.
“It was something he was hugely proud of ,he loved seeing the media coverage and the positive difference he was able to make to the lives of so many.
“He often talked to people about it and would always encourage everyone to get their vaccine whenever he could.”
As well as his wife of 53 years, Mr Shakespeare leaves their two adult sons and grandchildren.
Ms Innes wrote in a post on Facebook: “Bill will be remembered for many things, including a taste for mischief.”
He was a talented photographer and loved all kinds of music, especially jazz and regularly attended gigs to take pictures of the musicians.
Mrs Shakespeare added: “Bill loved meeting people and helping them in any way possible.