A man named William Shakespeare, first UK man and one of the first in the world to receive an approved COVID-19 vaccine this past December — has passed away from an unrelated illness. He was 81.
He died Thursday at the same hospital in Coventry where he received the vaccine, according to UK press. The nature of his illness was not immediately clear.
Upon his death, tributes poured in for Shakespeare, who was remembered fondly as a much-loved figure in the Coventry Labour Party. Jayne Innes, a Whoberley ward councilor for 30 years who worked closely with Shakespeare, said he was a keen photographer, loved jazz and socialising, and also loved the natural world and gardens.
Bill was a life-long campaigner, so he was delighted to be able to help encourage everyone to have the vaccine in order to return to all the things we enjoy in life, she added.