Bengaluru, July 3, 2025: Biocon Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has strongly refuted Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s recent comments suggesting a connection between COVID-19 vaccines and a series of heart attack-related deaths in the state’s Hassan district. Shaw described the statement as “misleading” and “factually incorrect.”
The Chief Minister, earlier this week, implied that the sudden deaths—more than 20 reported in Hassan over the past month—could be associated with the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, alleging that the vaccines had been given approval in haste.
Responding via social media, Shaw emphasized that India’s COVID-19 vaccines were approved under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), in accordance with internationally accepted protocols for safety and efficacy.
“Claiming that the vaccines were hastily cleared is misleading. They underwent strict evaluation and regulatory scrutiny,” Shaw stated. “Vaccines have played a vital role in saving millions of lives during the pandemic. While rare adverse events are possible, it is unscientific to fuel doubt without solid evidence.”
She also cautioned against spreading misinformation that undermines public trust in scientific processes, especially when retrospective claims are made without clear data support.
CM Orders Expert Panel to Investigate Sudden Deaths
CM Siddaramaiah, during a public briefing, acknowledged the growing concern over a rise in sudden cardiac fatalities, particularly among the youth. He announced the formation of a committee headed by Dr. C.N. Manjunath (updated: Dr. Ravindranath), Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, to probe the cause of deaths. The panel is expected to submit its findings within ten days.
This follows a similar directive issued in February, instructing experts to investigate whether there’s any statistical or scientific basis linking post-vaccination effects to increased cardiac incidents.
Centre Rejects Vaccine Link Theory
The Union Health Ministry responded promptly to the CM’s claims, reiterating that extensive research by premier institutions such as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), AIIMS, and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has found no causal link between COVID-19 vaccinations and sudden deaths.
In its statement, the Ministry noted that while sudden cardiac events do occur, they are typically influenced by multiple factors — including genetics, lifestyle issues, underlying health conditions, and even post-COVID complications.
“COVID-19 vaccines deployed in India have proven to be both safe and effective. The occurrence of serious side effects is extremely rare and well-documented,” the ministry said.
Public Health Experts Call for Data-Driven Discourse
As discussions continue, public health experts are urging authorities to focus on data-backed investigations rather than speculation. Many warn that unverified claims could discourage vaccination uptake in future public health emergencies.