NEW DELHI, 02 July: Multiple national agencies have thoroughly examined the issue of sudden, unexplained deaths among adults and found no evidence connecting these incidents to COVID-19 vaccination.
Extensive research confirms that COVID-19 vaccines administered in India are both safe and effective, with only rare instances of serious side effects.
Two major studies led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in collaboration with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), have provided comprehensive insights into the matter. These studies focused particularly on unexplained deaths among adults aged 18 to 45.
The first study, conducted by ICMR’s National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), titled “Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India – A multicentric matched case–control study,” analyzed data from 47 tertiary hospitals across 19 states and UTs between May and August 2023. It investigated sudden deaths that occurred between October 2021 and March 2023. The study clearly found no increased risk of sudden unexplained death linked to COVID-19 vaccination in this age group.
The second, ongoing study—“Establishing the cause in sudden unexplained deaths in young”—is being conducted by AIIMS New Delhi in partnership with ICMR. Early findings from this prospective research suggest that heart attacks (myocardial infarction) are still the most common cause of sudden deaths among young adults.
Notably, there is no significant shift in the pattern of causes when compared to previous years. In many cases, genetic mutations have been found to be a likely contributing factor. Final findings will be published once the study concludes.
Together, these studies provide a clearer picture of sudden unexplained deaths in young Indian adults, emphasizing that underlying health conditions, genetic susceptibility, and unhealthy lifestyle habits are the main factors—not COVID-19 vaccines.
Health experts have strongly discouraged drawing false links between vaccination and sudden deaths, stating that such claims lack scientific support and may fuel vaccine hesitancy. Misleading information can erode public trust in vaccines, which have been critical in reducing the impact of the pandemic.
The Government of India affirms its commitment to scientifically grounded research and public health safety.
