Hitchin Nub News writer Owen Rodbard speaks from the heart as to why it is important for everyone to get vaccinated.

Owen, who sadly lost his father to Covid last year is urging everyone - young and old - to get the jab at the appropriate time.

Owen, like many university students has been patiently waiting for the end of this dreadful pandemic having been forced inside for 13 whole months in the prime of his life.

And now, with the end in sight, he is excitedly looking forward to doing fun things we once took for granted, such as attending music festivals.

Read on for Owen's Nub News powerful opinion on why we all need to do our bit to help rid our lives of this deadly virus.

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With Coronavirus infection rates rapidly declining and the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel starting to form, we all need to do our part to rid this deadly virus from our country.

As a community, we all need to come together to defeat this virus and to protect the people around us, and as the vaccine rollout continues at pace, we all have a collective responsibility to society to get the jab when called upon.

As a student, (and someone who's not too keen on needles), I have still been lucky enough to receive my first dose of the vaccine, and I feel in privileged position to now feel slightly more optimistic about the coming months.

With summer just around the corner and festivals, hospitality and clubs opening, the need for a vaccine becomes more apparent for young people wanting to attend these events.

As a uni student who's been stuck inside for over a year, the prospect of normal life seems almost too good to be true, but the overriding expectation for the events and festivals I have booked leads me to believe that we are finally coming to the end of this tragic period in our lives.

Rumours are floating around about a possible 'vaccine passport' which means you might not have to be tested on the door of events or festivals which allows a lot more freedom in the long run.

This alone should be enough of a 'carrot on a stick' to persuade anyone to take the vaccine.

I believe that it's not younger generation that necessarily needs convincing to take the vaccine, more the older generation who are sceptical about its effects and what the vaccine contains.

I personally do not know anyone that is against taking a vaccine that could potentially save your life or save a family members life, and as someone who lost their dad to this terrible virus, I'm urging anyone and everyone to take this step forward as a collective.

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Read more powerful writing from Owen on his inspirational late father and Covid here