Scientists link AstraZeneca vaccine with ‘spike’ in cases of rare disease that can paralyse victims

Before the pandemic, Anthony Shingler was a strong and active man working 60-hour weeks in the security industry. But during his time off he liked nothing better than to take trips with his family.

In 2018, he and his wife Nicola climbed Snowdonia together, and in 2020 they took their children and grandchildren on holiday to Cornwall. They enjoyed walking along the cliffs and exploring hidden beaches together, while Mr Shingler “messed around” with some amateur photography.

The 60-year-old is in a very different position now. These days, he uses a mobility scooter to get about, and his hands are fused in a fixed position. He no longer has the dexterity to operate a camera – or even manipulate a knife and fork. He has to have his food cut up for him.

Speaking from his home in Stoke-on-Trent, Mr Shingler still comes across as a jovial character. But his voice wavers as he explains: “I feel such a burden.”

Everything changed for the family on March 5 2021 when Mr Shingler received the AstraZeneca vaccination against Covid-19.

Like many people, he experienced mild symptoms the following day. But unlike most others – whose symptoms improved – Mr Shingler’s got substantially worse. Over the course of two weeks, he developed a heavy feeling in his legs, and pins and needles in his hands, feet and lower lip.

He became so unsteady on his feet that his wife had to collect him from work. By this point, they were hugely concerned and sought medical help. But according to Mrs Shingler, he was sent home twice from Royal Stoke University Hospital in Staffordshire – with one doctor putting his symptoms down to an allergic reaction, and another diagnosing him with sciatica.

Paralysed from the waist down

On March 22, Mr Shingler woke up paralysed from the waist down and returned to hospital for a third time. This time he was admitted to the neurology ward, where he was subjected to tests and “intravenous immunoglobulin” treatment, before being rushed to intensive care.

He had been diagnosed with GBS which can cause paralysis, sometimes including problems swallowing and breathing.

Mrs Shingler’s voice cracks as she recalls this time. Covid restrictions meant that she was not allowed to accompany him and they had to say their goodbyes over FaceTime, not knowing if Anthony would survive. She also found it hard to get information. At some point, she says, a doctor suggested to Mr Shingler that he was having a reaction to a vaccine.

But when she raised this issue with another doctor on the phone, she says he became irate and lectured her. 

“He began to shout at me about people dying of Covid.”

“At this point I said, ‘look doctor, we are going to have to agree to disagree on this because right now my husband needs help’.”

In the end, Anthony stayed in ICU for eight and a half months. He was finally discharged from hospital in May last year – with papers stating that the “primary admission diagnosis” was “respiratory failure secondary to guillian barre syndrome [sic] following the astra Zeneca [sic] covid 19 vaccination”.

The following month, he was awarded a £120,000 payout from the Government’s Vaccine Damage Compensation Scheme – given to people who are deemed at least “60 per cent disabled” by vaccine injury.

Whilst it has helped pay for the couple to adapt their bathroom and make up for some of Mr Shingler’s lost earnings – he is still struggling with his new life.

They returned to Cornwall for the first time a few months ago, but cut the trip short after two days because so many of the places and activities that he used to love are now inaccessible.

“It’s the frustration that makes you depressed. What you can’t do, and what you used to do. Simple tasks, like taking the washing basket down… even tightening screws up,” he says. “I can’t go kicking a football with my grandson – and he loves football.”

“Nickie doesn’t deserve how I am now.”

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Case Study: Paul Scrivener