A self-confessed vaccine sceptic who said 'if he could turn back time he would' after he was admitted to hospital earlier this month with COVID has died with the virus at the age of 34.
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Matthew Keenan told friends that he 'wished he had his jab' after he was hospitalised at Bradford Royal Infirmary and placed in an induced coma in a bid to save his life just two weeks ago.
Dr Leanne Cheyne, a respiratory consultant at the West Yorkshire hospital, shared a photo of him in an oxygen mask and hooked up to a ventilator as he fought for his life.
Urging others to 'grab a jab', she wrote:
Matthew has agreed for me to share his story. 34, footie coach & dad. Self-confessed vaccine skeptic until he caught COVID. If he could turn back time he would. Our sickest patients are unvaccinated and under 40. Matthew is fighting for his life.. save yours.
Life of the party
Mr Keenan, who was described as the 'life of the party', shared an image of his positive COVID lateral flow test on July 2. He said that the symptoms made him feel like he had been 'hit by a truck' after suffering from a fever and feeling 'freezing and red hot'.
The Liverpool fan added that the back pain left him feeling 'the most poorly I have ever been and I feel like it's getting worse'. He ended the post saying he was 'in bits' and that 'COVID is real'.
Tragically, it was confirmed on Monday that Mr Keenan had died with the virus. In a touching tribute, his friend of more than 20 years Billy Brown said the world lost 'the kindest man'
The 38-year-old added that 'grown men haven't stopped crying' since the news of Matthew's tragic death broke.
Mr Brown said:
Mr Keenan was a devoted dad, a fantastic friend, and an unbeatable coach. As he was getting more poorly, he said he wished he had gotten the jab. I can't believe he's gone, he was the most likeable lad I've ever met.
