Captain Sir Tom Moore of Bedford was unable to have Covid vaccine as he was being been treated for pneumonia

He was due to have the jab in recent weeks but was too unwell
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Captain Sir Tom Moore of Bedford was due to have his vaccine in recent weeks but was battling pneumonia, according to his daughter.

The sad news was revealed as it emerged the NHS hero, from Marston Moretaine, has been admitted to Bedford Hospital after testing positive for Covid-19.

In a statement released online, Captain Tom’s daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, said her father - who won the nation’s heart after raising more than £33million walking laps in his garden during the UK’s first lockdown - had been treated for pneumonia over the past few weeks and tested positive for Covid-19 last week.

Captain Sir Tom MooreCaptain Sir Tom Moore
Captain Sir Tom Moore

The 100-year-old Second World War veteran was admitted to hospital yesterday (Sunday, January 31).

Ms Ingram-Moore said her father is being treated in a ward, and is not in intensive care. He was at home until Sunday, when he needed “additional help with his breathing”.

She added Sir Tom has received “remarkable” medical care, and his family knows “the wonderful staff at Bedford Hospital will do all they can to make him comfortable and hopefully return home as soon as possible.”

He had not yet received the Covid-19 vaccine due to the medication he was receiving for pneumonia, a spokeswoman for the family said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted his well wishes to Captain Sir Tom, saying: “My thoughts are very much with @Captain Tom Moore and his family. You've inspired the whole nation, and I know we are all wishing you a full recovery."

England’s national football teams tweeted saying: "We're very sorry to hear this. We are thinking of you all and hoping Captain Sir Tom makes a full and speedy recovery."

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan in a tweet thanked the work from the NHS and hoped for a “speedy recovery” to get Capt Sir Tom “back home with his family soon”.

Michael Ball, who recorded a charity single with Captain Sir Tom that reached number one in the charts, tweeted: “Love and prayers for @captaintommoore and his lovely family as he battles this bastard of a virus. Stay strong Sir. We are all here for you.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan also sent his well wishes, saying: "We are all thinking of you."

Captain Tom's family have refused to make any further statement at this time.