TOWNSEND, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Covid-19 pandemic has been hard for everyone, but especially for those with underlying health conditions.
That includes Justin Gigliotti of Townsend, who was born with 22Q -- a genetic disorder that affects the heart, learning abilities, speech and more.
The 24-year-old Social Media Influencer and Disabilities Advocate received his first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine at a local clinic on Wednesday, sharing a video of the moment on his Twitter account.
"I was so happy and grateful, because I was basically stuck in the house for a year, with nothing to do," Gigliotti said. "But now since I have the vaccine I'm so happy, so grateful, so blessed."
Gigliotti said throughout the pandemic he has maintained contact with friends and family through video chats, but is looking forward to meeting with people in person again.
"I have a cousin Joey, we do music together, and unfortunately we haven't been doing in-session music because of Covid," he said. "But I'm hoping to get back up on my feet and starting to see people again hopefully within the next few weeks."
One of his first plans after his full vaccination is to eat at a restaurant with his father -- which he says he hasn't done in a long time.
Gigliotti is encouraging others to go out and get their vaccine shot as well once they're eligible to do so.
The state is currently still in Phase II of it's vaccine rollout, which expands eligibility to those ages 65 years old and older and people with two or more high-risk medical conditions.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasWBZ) reports.
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Written by Rachel Armany
(Photo: Getty Images)