A man who put off getting his coronavirus vaccine has spent five weeks in intensive care.
Matthew Roche is currently recovering in Whiston Hospital, Prescot, and has been left with permanent damage to his lungs.
The 38-year-old put off having his vaccines after concerns about potential side effects, Liverpool Echo reports.
From his hospital bed, Matthew told Good Morning Britain: "I was like 'I am going to get the vaccine but I would like to see what happens in regards to side effects'.
"No one takes it as seriously until they have had it.
"I've lost 10% of my body weight, I've got permanent extensive lung changes, so it may well be that my life is now changed forever.
"This was singlehandedly the most terrifying experience of my life."
Marie Goodwin, 71, had received both her vaccinations but still caught Covid-19.
She feared she may die due to a pre-existing lung condition, but after battling through, she now believes the jab saved her life.
Ms Goodwin said: "I didn't expect to survive it, to be honest with you.
"Not at my age anyway, younger people who think this is an old people's thing, it's not."
Hospital bosses are now urging young people to get vaccinated as admissions increase.
Medical director, Professor Rowan Pritchard Jones, said: "There is no doubt about it, it is younger patients that are now presenting to the hospital and the sickest amongst them are those who have not yet had their vaccine."
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