WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, 1ST MAN TO GET COVID JAB, DIES AT 81

The first man to receive a coronavirus vaccine has died of an unrelated illness, Chiara Giordano reported for the UK’s The Independent.

William “Bill” Shakespeare, 81, made headlines after becoming the second person in the world to get the Pfizer-BioNTech jab at Coventry’s University Hospital last December, shortly after 91-year-old Margaret Keenan.

The former parish councilor and Labor Party stalwart, who died after suffering a stroke, was proud of being one of the first to receive the vaccine, his wife Joy said in a statement released through University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.

She said: “Bill was so grateful for being offered the opportunity to become one of the first people in the world to be given the vaccine. It was something he was hugely proud of – he loved seeing the media coverage and the positive difference he was able to make to the lives of so many.”

Born in Coventry, Mr. Shakespeare served on Allesley Parish Council for more than 30 years, and as a school governor for over two decades. The retired aero engineer was also involved in planting hundreds of trees in Coundon Wedge, Allesley, and in the creation of Coundon Wood.

In a tweet paying tribute to him, the West Midlands Labour Party said: “We're sorry to hear of the death of Coventry Labour stalwart Bill Shakespeare. Bill made global headlines as 1st first man to have COVID vaccine. “His decades of service to the party were recently recognized by Keir Starmer. Our thoughts are with Joy and Bill's family & friends.”

Coventry city councilor Jayne Innes said she was saddened and upset to hear of her friend's passing. The Labour councilor, who represents the Whoberley ward, offered her condolences to Mr. Shakespeare's family on Facebook, adding: “Bill will be remembered for many things, including a taste for mischief.”

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