New Delhi: Recent investigations by top Indian health bodies—the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)—have found no scientific evidence connecting COVID-19 vaccinations with recent reports of sudden deaths in the country.
According to a press release from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, several national institutions have thoroughly examined these sudden fatalities and collectively concluded that vaccines are not responsible.
Both ICMR and NCDC reaffirm that India’s COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, with serious adverse reactions being extremely rare. They note that sudden cardiac deaths are typically influenced by genetic predispositions, pre-existing but undiagnosed health conditions, lifestyle habits, or complications following a COVID-19 infection.
To gain a deeper understanding—especially in the 18–45 age group—two major investigations were launched. One was retrospective and the other prospective in nature.
The first study, carried out by ICMR’s National Institute of Epidemiology, was a large-scale case-control study conducted across 47 tertiary care hospitals in 19 states and union territories. It examined the sudden deaths of individuals who appeared healthy, spanning from October 2021 to March 2023. The findings showed no increased risk of unexplained sudden deaths associated with COVID-19 vaccination.
The second study, titled “Establishing the Cause of Sudden Unexplained Deaths in the Young,” is an ongoing AIIMS-ICMR initiative that monitors cases in real time. Preliminary data suggests that myocardial infarction (heart attack) continues to be the leading cause of sudden deaths in young adults, consistent with trends seen in earlier years. Many cases also involve hidden genetic anomalies.
Together, these investigations provide a comprehensive insight into the causes of sudden deaths among young Indians and firmly dispel claims that link such incidents to COVID-19 vaccines.
Health experts caution that unfounded claims linking vaccines to sudden deaths can damage public trust and lead to increased vaccine hesitancy, posing a serious threat to public health efforts.
