‘Vaccine saved my life’ says Fife councillor after 11 days in hospital battling COVID

Craig Walker, who’s convener of the area’s training and youngsters’s companies sub-committee, has issued the rallying name following a harrowing 11-day stint in hospital battling Covid and pneumonia as his family members and pals anxiously waited for information on his situation.

The 50-year-old was already at excessive danger having obtained a life-saving kidney transplant in 2019, and had been taking immunosuppressants to decrease the probabilities of his physique rejecting the organ.

Regardless of shielding and diligently taking additional precautions although, the SNP councillor for Glenrothes West and Kinglassie revealed he was rushed into hospital on October 21 and feared on a number of events over the subsequent week-and-a-half that he may not make it out.

“There’s little doubt in my thoughts that I’d be useless if I hadn’t had the vaccine,” Mr Walker insisted.

“The vaccine gave me a preventing probability as somebody who’s susceptible, and fortunately with therapy I’ve managed to come back by means of it.

“However I can’t perceive the mindset of those that willingly aren’t getting the jab – vaccines have been confirmed to work in a complete host of different areas and I’m constructive the vaccine saved my life.

“You already know from watching the information that it may be critical, however you don’t actually perceive it till you get it.

“You solely actually perceive how unhealthy it may be and it’s undoubtedly no enjoyable.”

Mr Walker, whose spouse Lynda is pregnant, went into 10 days of isolation after growing flu-like signs and receiving a constructive PCR outcome, however he stated he went quickly “downhill” on the ultimate day.

“I’ve no thought how I received it as a result of the kidney transplant meant I’ve needed to defend and I’ve been fairly meticulous when it comes to watching myself,” he continued.

“The primary half wasn’t too unhealthy truly and simply felt like a foul flu initially, however the nearer I received to the top of isolation I began to really feel worse and I used to be finally wheeched in to hospital after phoning NHS 24.”

Nearly a month on, Mr Walker admits he stays “fairly tough” and has not but returned to full power, though medical doctors say that’s to be anticipated.

Nonetheless, he’s adamant that the safety afforded to him by the vaccine ensured he’s right here at the moment to inform the story.

“It received a bit bushy in hospital and there have been 4 or 5 days the place issues had been a bit dodgy and I wanted oxygen to help me,” he added.

“There was discuss of getting to go to the Covid unit and I used to be informed I used to be getting near the purpose the place the usage of a ventilator may need been within the equation, and who is aware of what may need occurred?

“I simply assume that these people who find themselves placing themselves at pointless danger have to assume once more.

“It does save lives as a result of I’m satisfied I’m a type of individuals, and I can’t thank the NHS sufficient for pulling me by means of this.”