Fit and healthy man, 42, who rejected jab dies four weeks after catching Covid
‘He thought he was immortal’: Twin sister’s heartbreak as body-building brother, 42, who rejected jab because he ‘didn’t want vaccine in his body’ died four weeks after catching Covid… ‘wishing he’d listened’ to her
- John Eyers had been climbing the Welsh mountains one month before his death
- Twin sister Jenny McCann says 42-year-old was ‘fittest, healthiest person I know’
- Father-of-one had thought he would only have a ‘mild illness’ if he got Covid-19
- But he died in intensive care after suffering from an infection and organ failure
A fit and healthy 42-year-old father has died of Covid-19 after refusing the vaccine because he thought he would be OK if he contracted the virus, his twin sister said.
John Eyers had been climbing the Welsh mountains and wild camping one month before his death last week, which came exactly four weeks after he tested positive.
His twin sister Jenny McCann from London said he was the ‘fittest, healthiest person I know’ and had thought he would only have a ‘mild illness’ if he got coronavirus.
She added that he had a ‘belief in his own immortality’ but before going onto a ventilator in hospital he told his consultant that he wished he had been vaccinated.
Mr Eyers, of Southport, Merseyside, died in intensive care after suffering from an infection and organ failure, and leaves behind his parents and a daughter aged 19.
John Eyers, 42, had been climbing the Welsh mountains and wild camping one month before his death last week, which came exactly four weeks after he tested positive for Covid-19
Before going onto a ventilator in hospital while being treated for Covid-19, Mr Eyers told his consultant that he wished he had been vaccinated, according to his twin sister
Mr Eyers was described by his sister Jenny McCann as the ‘fittest, healthiest person I know’
Mr Eyers, of Southport, Merseyside, leaves behind his parents and a daughter aged 19
Mr Eyers had thought he would only have a ‘mild illness’ if he contracted coronavirus
Writing on Twitter, mother-of-two Ms McCann, of Pinner, North West London, said on Monday: ‘My 42-year-old old twin brother died in ITU of Covid-19 last week.
‘He died exactly four weeks after testing positive. He was the fittest, healthiest person I know. He was climbing Welsh mountains and wild camping four weeks before his death.
‘The only pre-existing health condition he had was the belief in his own immortality . He thought if he contracted Covid-19 he would be OK. He thought he would have a mild illness. He didn’t want to put a vaccine on his body.’
She added that Mr Eyers was ‘pumped full of every drug in the hospital’, saying: ‘They threw everything at him. But eventually the bedfellow of Covid-19, infection and organ failure, claimed his life.
Mr Eyers had thought he would be OK if he contracted coronavirus, his twin sister said
Father-of-one Mr Eyers lived in Southport and had not been vaccinated against coronavirus
Mr Eyers died in intensive care in hospital after suffering from an infection and organ failure
Friends said Mr Eyers was ‘true gentleman’ who loved climbing and ‘will be truly missed’
Mr Eyers ‘most certainly was one in a million’, friends said after he died from coronavirus
Friends said they were ‘still in utter shock after hearing such heartbreaking news’ of his death
‘Before he was ventilated he told his consultant that he wished he had been vaccinated. That he wished he had listened. His death is a tragedy. It shouldn’t have happened. He leaves a mum and dad, a sister (me), and a 19-year-old daughter.’
Ms McCann added that her two children had ‘lost their fun uncle’ who would ‘always play with them’ and dressed up as Father Christmas on Christmas Day.
She continued: ‘My mum has lost her baby boy. My niece, her much loved and needed dad. This shouldn’t have happened.
‘My mum wants people to know about John. For his story to save someone’s life. For pain and loss to drive people to get a vaccine.’
Back in May 10, Mr Eyers’s sister Jenny McCann had tweeted a selfie of her with her vaccine card after getting her first jab, saying: ‘Full on tears after getting Covid jab’
Ms McCann posted a series of tweets on Monday and said her brother ‘wished he had listened’
Ms McCann (left) and Mr Eyers (right) are pictured as children with their mother Linda
Back on May 10, Ms McCann had tweeted a selfie of her with her vaccine card after getting her first jab, saying: ‘Full on tears after getting Covid jab. Really shows the collective weight we’ve all been carrying. So grateful to the NHS.’
Mr Eyers worked as a senior management and technical specification professional within the construction industry for chemical manufacturing company Kerakoll.
Tributes poured in from friends, with Lisa Hames saying: ‘I am still in utter shock after hearing such heartbreaking news last week about my incredible friend, John Eyers.
‘I first met John when we studied together at Southport College, which then lead on to us working together and for over 25 years we have still remained great friends.
‘John most certainly was one in a million, a true gentleman and will be truly missed by so many. My thoughts are with all his family & his friends.’
Charlie Garforth added: ‘John Eyers was a great guy who I had a lot of time for. This is tragic for the family. But also a wake up call because because it feels very close to home. He had a lifestyle and the health most of us wish for in our early 40s.’
Linda Rowney said: ‘John was a very dear colleague, and friend of mine. To say I am extremely upset it an understatement. Please get vaccinated, it might save your life.’
Katie Halton wrote: T’he perfect gentleman, charismatic, kind, a heart of gold, the greatest friend, and the best napkin rose maker around. John Eyers, loved by everyone. You will be so missed.’
And Mo Jabbar said: ‘So many adventures we will no longer see, but I am truly grateful for the ones we shared.
‘The camps, the climbs, and the life chats on the way up to the Hangar. The laughs, the last minute trips to the Lakes and the freezing cold days on a ridge.
‘We were the mountain men. John, you were one of a kind, a true gent. You will be sorely missed. My heart bleeds for your family. They and you will be forever in my prayers.’
More than 85million Covid-19 vaccines have now been administered in UK, with 88 per cent of adults having had a first dose and 72 per cent both doses.
Public Health England data shows that around 60,000 deaths, 22 million infections and 52,600 hospitalisations have been prevented by the vaccines up to July 23.
The coronavirus vaccination programme now looks set to be rolled out to more than a million more teenagers with new advice expected for 16 and 17-year-olds.
Some under-18s are already eligible for a jab if they have certain health conditions, live with an immunocompromised person, or are approaching their 18th birthday.
Some 223,755 under-18s in England have already received a first dose. Around 1.4 million 16 and 17-year-olds will be eligible when the programme is extended.
They are expected to receive the Pfizer vaccine, which has been approved for use in the UK for people aged 12 and over.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is expected to make a recommendation on extending the vaccination programme ‘imminently’.
