Mark Briggs back home after life-threatening reaction to AstraZeneca vaccination

‘I’m feeling not too bad’: Mark Briggs on the road to recovery after a life-threatening reaction to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Mark Briggs has been spending treasured time with family and friends in the past week.

The 55-year-old returned to his Rockhampton home on September 22 after more than three months in hospital.

He suffered a raft of symptoms which three times almost claimed his life.

An exhaustive battery of tests had failed to provide a diagnosis but in late August, a Brisbane specialist told Mark’s wife that his condition was caused by a reaction to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Mark is now on the road to recovery, and slowly settling back into something of a routine.

Mark Briggs in the intensive care unit of Rockhampton Hospital in August.

He will continue to have weekly blood tests and check-ups with his GP, as well as regular hook-ups with his specialist at The Wesley Hospital in Brisbane.

His rehabilitation program includes physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions.

Mark said it was great to be home, and he had enjoyed time catching up with his four children and three grandchildren.

“I’m feeling not too bad. I get a bit fatigued if I do too much but that’s to be expected,” he said on Friday.

“I’m still having trouble with a few things with my arms and that, but I’m getting there slowly.”

Mark has enjoyed several outings, including a visit on Thursday night to the Indoor Sports Arena Rockhampton where he is a popular member of the volleyball community.

“That was pretty cool. People were coming up and telling me they were glad to see me back and it was nice to have a bit of a chat with them,” he said.

ISA Rockhampton has been incredibly supportive of the Briggs family. Members last week delivered a care package to them, and they also organised a fundraiser in August which made more than $11,000.

Sam and Mark continue to marvel at the way people, many of them strangers, have got behind them during their ordeal.

Sam, who was by Mark’s side every day of his hospital stay, said it was wonderful to be back home.

“It’s been great, seeing everyone again and getting back to a little bit of normality,” she said.

“We’re loving it, absolutely loving it.”