A Cramlington dad who caught Covid just days after receiving his second vaccine is urging others to come forward and get double jabbed.
Vaccinations are key to prevent deaths or serious illness and have proven to reduce the number of hospitalisations.
But while being vaccinated gives you greater protection, you can still contract and pass on the virus - and if you test positive, you have to self-isolate.
READ MORE: Students won't know if they must be vaccinated for university until the month term starts
Last month, Iain Thompson and his wife Emma both contracted Covid-19 within weeks of receiving their second AstraZeneca vaccine.
Now fully recovered, Iain insists his family's experience would have been much worse without being fully vaccinated and is calling on others to get their jabs.
"We’re both really glad we were double jabbed as it reduces the risk of becoming seriously ill and going into hospital," said Iain.
"Many might think that wouldn’t happen to us in our early 30s, but I worried it would.
"Covid has no preference. It can affect anyone of any age. That's why we need to remain vigilant and get both doses of the vaccine. Without it I’d feel as anxious and as scared as I did at the start of the pandemic.
"Getting the vaccine, especially the AstraZeneca jab, wasn't an easy choice for my wife as at age 16 she suffered from a blood clot. But for her, the benefits outweighed the 'what if's?'."
Iain woke up on June 19 thinking he had a cold, suffering with congestion and a bad head.
It wasn't until he was in the shower and he couldn't smell his shampoo when it dawned on the 32-year-old he may have contracted coronavirus.
Following a positive lateral flow test, Iain took a PCR test at Cramlington Fire Station which also confirmed he had the virus.
He said: "Luckily, we’d just taken time off to pack up to move into my in-law’s house, as we’d just sold our first family home to buy off-plan. I hadn’t been around anyone outside our household.
"My in-laws stayed in their caravan while we self-isolated at their house for 10-days.
"On the Monday I woke up with two massive ulcers at the back of my throat, which lasted seven days."
The following day Iain's wife Emma - on her 31st birthday - tested positive for Covid-19, with the couple isolating with their children Ellie, six, and Finn, four.
Iain said: "Emma and I took it in turns to rest whilst the other looked after the kids. By Friday, my headaches and congestion eased. But Emma didn’t feel 100% for two weeks, mainly because of the fatigue.
"Thankfully the kids only had a slight temperature and cough but apart from that they were totally fine.
"Both of them understood we were ill because of Covid. Ellie was really intrigued. She took her lateral flow tests with Emma and wanted to help us."
He is now urging people to get fully vaccinated to help protect themselves, their loved ones, friends, colleagues and their local community.
"If you’re able to, get the vaccine. Yes, you might still get Covid like I did, but it can save your life as well as protect those around you.
"Vulnerable people are not just the older generation. A younger person sitting on the Metro could have Crohn's disease or be recovering from cancer. So it's vital people of all ages get the vaccine.
"As we’re getting back ‘to normal’ we need to be considerate, cautious and kind to one another. For some, the Covid restrictions lifting is causing them real anxiety.
"We need to support each other right now, more than ever. I understand there are no legal restrictions now, but why not keep up some of the good behaviours we’ve learnt over the past 18 months if it protects loved ones, colleagues and the North East as a whole?
"When people are still becoming seriously ill, let's continue to look after each other - it’s the right thing to do."
Iain shared his story via the #BeatCovidNE campaign, to highlight the benefits of getting both doses of the vaccine. For more information and the latest advice visit www.beatcovidne.co.uk
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