ICMR, NCDC studies debunk link between COVID-19 vaccines and sudden deaths in young adults

COVID-19 vaccines do not increase the risk of sudden unexplained deaths in young adults, two major studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have confirmed. These studies found "no direct link" between vaccination and sudden deaths, affirming the safety of vaccines amid rising misinformation. Instead, factors like heart attacks, genetic predisposition, and post-COVID complications were identified as likely causes.

ICMR-NIE Director Dr. Manoj Murhekar told the media that around 50 hospitals were part of the studies, about 800 cases of sudden death were included, and that COVID-19 vaccination is not associated with these sudden deaths. "But we found that those who had severe COVID, those who required hospitalisation because of COVID, had a higher risk of sudden death. Similarly, those who did unaccustomed exercises had higher odds or a higher risk of developing Covid. Those who indulged in binge drinking or those who were drug users—these were the factors," said Dr. Murhekar.

The ICMR and NCDC have been working together to understand the causes behind sudden unexplained deaths, especially in young adults between the ages of 18 and 45 years.

As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, two complementary studies were undertaken using different research approaches—one based on past data and another involving real-time investigation. The first study, conducted by ICMR’s National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), was titled “Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India – A multicentric matched case–control study.” This study was carried out from May to August 2023 across 47 tertiary care hospitals in 19 states and Union Territories. It looked at individuals who appeared to be healthy but died suddenly between October 2021 and March 2023. The findings have conclusively showed that COVID-19 vaccination does not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death in young adults.

The second study, titled “Establishing the cause in sudden unexplained deaths in young,” is currently being conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, with funding and in collaboration with ICMR. This is a prospective study aimed at determining the common causes of sudden deaths in young adults. Early analysis of data from the study indicates that heart attacks, or myocardial infarction (MI), continue to be the leading cause of sudden death in this age group. Importantly, no major changes in the pattern of causes have been observed when compared with previous years. In the majority of the unexplained death cases, genetic mutations have been identified as a possible cause of these deaths. The final results will be shared once the study is complete.

Together, these two studies offer a more comprehensive understanding of sudden unexplained deaths in young adults in India. It has also been revealed that COVID-19 vaccination does not appear to increase the risk, whereas the role of underlying health issues, genetic predisposition, and risky lifestyle choices does play a role in unexplained sudden deaths.

Experts have reiterated that statements linking Covid vaccination to sudden deaths are "false and misleading" and are not supported by scientific consensus. These suggest that speculative claims without conclusive evidence risk undermining public confidence in vaccines, which have played a crucial role in saving millions of lives during the pandemic. Such unfounded reports and claims could strongly contribute to vaccine hesitancy in the country, thereby adversely impacting public health.