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‘Feels good’: WWII veteran receives his second vaccine dose as wife recovers from COVID-19

OVER 487,000 DOSES HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED IN LOUISIANA. SULA: A LITTLE OVER A 5TH OF THAT, 103,000 PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN BOTH DOSES. AND AMONG THOSE WHO HAVE ROLLED UP THEIR SLEEVES, THIS HERO, A 97-YEAR-OLD WORLD WAR TWO VETERAN. AND AS SHAY O’CONNOR FOUND OUT, THIS DAY HAS EVEN MORE SIGNIFICIANCE, TODAY HE GAVE THE VACCINE A SHOT, BUT YEARS AGO IT WAS LOVE. REPORTER: THIS IS HIS 74TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. ONEILL J. WILLIAMS’ WIFE IS ACTUALLY RECOVERING FROM COVID19 AS WE SPEAK. SO HE ADMITS BECOMING VACCINATED WILL HELP TO PROTECT HIM AND HIS LOVED ONES. >> NO DIFFERENCE, I JUST FELT A LITTLE PRICK AND THAT WAS IT. REPORTER: WORLD WAR II VETERAN ONIELL J. WILLIAMS WAS ALL SMILES ON TUESDAY AFTER RECEIVING HIS SECOND AND LAST DOSE OF THE COVID19 VACCINE. NEXT ON HIS AGENDA FOR THE DAY, — FOR THE DAY. >> GO HOME AND HAVE SUPPER. REPORTER: THE 97-YEAR-OLD ALSO CELEBRATING A DAY NEAR AND DEAR, HIS 74TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY WITH HIS WIFE. WHO IS CURRENTLY GETTING COVID19. — STRONGER AND STRONGER FOLLOWING HER OWN BOUT WITH COVID-19. >> SHE IS GETTING BETTER. REPORTER: NOW HER VACCINATION CAN SERVE AS A WAY TO PROTECT HIM AND OTHERS. HE IS ONE OF AT LEAST 11,000 VETS AT THE V.A. WHO HAVE RECEIVED ONE OR BOT DOSES OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE SINCE MID DECEMBER. HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE BEEN USING A CALL CENTER TO CONTACT THOUSANDS OF VETERANS ACROSS THE STATE AND WITHIN THE SYSTEM TO SET UP VACCINATIONS. SO FAR, SO GOOD. >> OF THOSE THAT WE HAVE REACHED, ABOUT 75% HAVE SAID YES TO GETTING THE VACCINE. THAT IS WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR. REPORTER: AND WITH LOTS OF DOSES SENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT, VETERANS ARE ABLE TO GET SCHEDULED AND VACCINATED AS QUICK AS THEY CALL. ONE CHALLENGE REMAINS IN GETTING THOSE WHO ARE HESITANT ON BOARD WITH THE DOSE. >> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WAITING TO SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE INFO. THE VACCINES WERE DEVELOPED REALLY QUICKLY. WE FEEL VERY CONVINCED ABOUT THE SAFETY, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VACCINE. REPORTER: BUT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SHIELDED AWAY FOR MOST OF THE PANDEMIC, A NEW LIFE STARTS HERE. >> I HOPE SO. IT HAS BEEN ROUGH. REPORTER: THE V.A. HAS BEGAN ADMINISTERING VACCINES TO VETERANS 65 AND UP AT THIS POINT. ALSO THOSE WHO ARE YOUNGER WITH CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY. REPORTING FROM

‘Feels good’: WWII veteran receives his second vaccine dose as wife recovers from COVID-19

World War II Army veteran O’Neill J. Williams was all smiles on Tuesday after receiving his second and last dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. “The shot felt like it was no difference. I just felt a little prick. That was it. Like the last time,” said Williams. The 97-year-old was also celebrating a day near and dear — his 74th wedding anniversary with his wife. She recently had her own battle with COVID-19.”She is getting better after having double pneumonia,” Williams said.Now Williams’ vaccine can serve as a way to protect him and others. Watch the video above for more on this story.

World War II Army veteran O’Neill J. Williams was all smiles on Tuesday after receiving his second and last dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“The shot felt like it was no difference. I just felt a little prick. That was it. Like the last time,” said Williams.

The 97-year-old was also celebrating a day near and dear — his 74th wedding anniversary with his wife. She recently had her own battle with COVID-19.

“She is getting better after having double pneumonia,” Williams said.

Now Williams’ vaccine can serve as a way to protect him and others.

Watch the video above for more on this story.