OLYMPIC double boxing medallist Paddy Barnes has said he has not received his first Covid-19 amid suggestions that a friend took a heart attack after receiving his.
The north Belfast native revealed his fear of the vaccination during a Twitter exchange last week.
Barnes picked up a bronze boxing medal at the Beijing games in 2008 and another four years later in London.
The 34-year-old later turned professional and was known as the Leprechaun.
His comments emerged as 13 people died from Covid-19 over the weekend amid a spike in the numbers of contracting the virus.
While concerns have been raised about some vaccines, the risks are said to be minimal.
During the recent exchange Mr Barnes responded to a tweet from a member of the medical profession encouraging the 18 per cent of people who had yet to receive their first vaccine jab to do so.
"The Mater is full with young (in 20/30s) critically unwell, un-vaccinated Covid patients on ventilators who are now regretting their decision," the medical registrar wrote.
"Might be time for a rethink.
"The third wave is here and you are now the most vulnerable."
In response Mr Barnes, confirmed he has yet to receive his first dose and said that a friend had been struck down with a heart attack after receiving a jab.
"I'm part of the 18 per cent," he wrote.
"My friend took a heart attack and still isn't right, we are the same age.
"Each to their own."
During the exchange Stormont minister Nichola Mallon told the former boxer she understood his anxiety.
"Hearing that I can understand why you're anxious Paddy," she wrote.
"I hope your friend recovers quickly.
"A lot of young people, your age, have had the vaccine with no side effects.
"The more young people who get it, the better protected they are, and vulnerable members of their family are too."
The remarks by Mr Barnes come as health chiefs continue to encourage members of the public to protect themselves from the virus.
First dose jabs stopped as mass vaccination centres across the north at the weekend, however, they will continue to be offered from pharmacies and mobile testing centres.
The Department of Health was contacted.