A California man who mocked Covid-19 vaccines on social media has died after a month-long battle with the virus.

Stephen Harmon, a member of the Hillsong megachurch, had been a vocal opponent of vaccines, making a series of jokes about not having the vaccine.

"Got 99 problems but a vax ain't one," the 34-year-old tweeted to his 7,000 followers in June.

He was treated for pneumonia and Covid-19 in a hospital outside Los Angeles, where he died on Wednesday.

In the days leading up to his death, Mr Harmon documented his fight to stay alive, posting pictures of himself in his hospital bed.

"Please pray y'all, they really want to intubate me and put me on a ventilator," he said.

In his final tweet on Wednesday, Mr Harmon said he had decided to go under intubation.

"Don't know when I'll wake up, please pray," he wrote.

Despite his struggle with the virus, Mr Harmon still said he would reject being jabbed, saying his religious faith would protect him.

Why is the US falling behind with its vaccinations?
Twitter suspends US congresswoman over Covid posts
Prior to his death, had joked about the pandemic and vaccines, sharing memes saying he trusted the Bible over top US disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci.

Hillsong founder Brian Houston confirmed news of his death in a tweet on Thursday.

"Ben has just passed on to us the devastating news that our beloved friend, Stephen Harmon has passed away from Covid. Heartbreaking," Mr Houston said.

In an Instagram post, he paid tribute to Mr Harmon.

"He was one of the most generous people I know and he had so much in front of him," he wrote on Instagram.

"He would always turn up to our grandkids soccer games and he will be missed by so many. RIP."

He didn't die a coward.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57958358

Tweet announcing his death by his pastor below

People die everyday irrespective of their religion or covid 19 or any useless vaccine.

He's not the first or last to die of Covid 19, we're all born to die.

Vaccine or no vaccine. Some people took the vaccine and still fall dead. Some were killed by the so called vaccine and some still were infected by the virus even after taking the vaccine.
It is appointed for every man to die.
Where you are going is what matters and not how you die

Femmyfestus:
Vaccine or no vaccine. Some people took the vaccine and still fall dead. Some were killed by the so called vaccine and some still were infected by the virus even after taking the vaccine.
It is appointed for every man to die.
Where you are going is what matters and not how you die

That's how he died
Keep this energy

He died a hero.
He earned my respect.
Thousands of those who got the vax also died of its complications instead of being cured by it.
So, Stephen Harmon is a hero.
Rest in peace.

Take the jab mba!
it's free take it NO

Please be careful people especially from people who doesn't believe in COVID

They are the wicked ones

Femmyfestus:
Vaccine or no vaccine. Some people took the vaccine and still fall dead. Some were killed by the so called vaccine and some still were infected by the virus even after taking the vaccine.
It is appointed for every man to die.
Where you are going is what matters and not how you die

This is so false
Take the vaccine and stay safe that should be the message

Kayberg:


He died a hero.
He earned my respect.
Thousands of those who got the vax also died of its complications instead of being cured by it.
So, Stephen Harmon is a hero.
Rest in peace.

So you wouldn't take it yourself?
And if yes then why?
Educate us

Davash222:
People die everyday irrespective of their religion or covid 19 or any useless vaccine.

He's not the first or last to die of Covid 19, we're all born to die.

He refused to get help and died as a result- simple and short.

Jesus Christ said that those who belong to Him will drink poison and it will not harm them so what does that say of this man's religion?

Is it not the same vaccine that is said to have claimed so many lives?
Either ways he would have still died. So it's not about being a religious extremist.

CharisEleos:
Is it not the same vaccine that is said to have claimed so many lives?
Either ways he would have still died. So it's not about being a religious extremist.

Really? So when Jesus Christ said you will drink poison and it will not harm you, you dont believe Him?

Kobojunkie:
Really? So when Jesus Christ said you will drink poison and it will not harm you, you dont believe Him?

When Jesus said so, did he mean you should go deliberately drink a substance knowing full well it will kill you?

CharisEleos:

When Jesus said so, did he mean you should go deliberately drink a substance knowing full well it will kill you?

He said again, you will drink poison and it will not harm you... He didn't say you will have poison forced on you, did he?

CharisEleos:
Is it not the same vaccine that is said to have claimed so many lives?
Either ways he would have still died. So it's not about being a religious extremist.

So would you take it yourself? And if not why even after reading what has happened to this young promising black man?

According to https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?utm_campaign=homeAdUOA?Si 4.1m people have died of covid so far. This is verifiable information that has even been undercounted in countries like Nigeria/Brazil/Uganda/Russia/Iran/North Korea etc, meaning the numbers are probably more than that. Where is your proof or data that the vaccine has CLAIMED SO MANY LIVES as you claim?
Everyone is a "leader" in society, even you. There will be people that look to you as more informed or educated and will look to you to inform their own decisions. Inform yourself before you make such broad statements. You could be responsible for the life or death of someone else based on your statements.