ICMR-AIIMS Study Finds No Connection Between COVID-19 Vaccines and Sudden Deaths in India

2nd July 2025 at 2:16 PM

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The sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in India soared to even more troubling heights, with the tally crossing the 7,000 mark.

New Delhi: Comprehensive research by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has found no evidence linking COVID-19 vaccines to sudden deaths among young adults in India. The findings, released by the Union Health Ministry on July 2, 2025, address concerns raised by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who suggested a possible connection between the vaccines and a recent spate of heart attack deaths in Hassan district.

The Ministry emphasized that multiple studies conducted by ICMR and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirm the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in India, with severe side effects being extremely rare. One study, conducted by ICMR’s National Institute of Epidemiology from May to August 2023 across 47 tertiary care hospitals in 19 states and Union Territories, explored factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18 to 45. Titled “Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India – a multi-centric matched case-control study,” it found no correlation between vaccination and sudden deaths.

A second ongoing study, led by AIIMS in collaboration with ICMR, is examining the causes of sudden unexplained deaths in young adults. Preliminary data indicates that heart attacks, or myocardial infarction, remain the leading cause of such deaths in this age group. The research points to lifestyle factors, pre-existing health conditions, and genetic predispositions as primary contributors, rather than vaccination.

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The Health Ministry’s statement counters claims linking the vaccines to sudden cardiac deaths, noting that such incidents stem from a range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and post-COVID complications. The findings aim to reassure the public amid rising concerns, particularly in Karnataka, where Siddaramaiah reported over 20 heart attack deaths in Hassan district over the past month.

ICMR and NCDC continue to investigate sudden deaths to provide a clearer understanding of their causes, reinforcing that COVID-19 vaccines do not increase the risk of such events. The Ministry urged the public to rely on scientific evidence and avoid speculation that could undermine confidence in vaccination efforts.