Recent studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have found no direct link between COVID-19 vaccination and sudden, unexplained deaths in India. These findings, released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, address public concerns that arose following the pandemic. The studies affirm that the COVID-19 vaccines used in India are safe and effective.

To address the concerns about sudden deaths, particularly among young adults aged 18 to 45, the ICMR and NCDC conducted two studies using different research methods. One study, led by ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), was a multicentric matched case-control study titled "Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India". This study took place between May and August 2023, across 47 hospitals in 19 states and union territories. Researchers examined individuals who appeared healthy but died suddenly between October 2021 and March 2023. The results of this study confirmed that COVID-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of such deaths.

The second study, "Establishing the cause in sudden unexplained deaths in young," is being conducted by AIIMS, New Delhi, in collaboration with and funded by ICMR. This ongoing prospective study aims to identify common causes of sudden deaths in young adults. Preliminary data indicates that heart attacks (myocardial infarctions) remain the leading cause. Additionally, genetic mutations have been identified as a possible factor in many cases. The pattern of causes has not shown any significant change compared to previous years. The final results of this study will be shared upon completion.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has clarified that while serious side effects from COVID-19 vaccines are extremely rare, sudden cardiac deaths can occur due to various factors. These factors include genetics, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions, and, in some instances, post-COVID complications. The studies suggest that a combination of these elements, rather than the vaccines themselves, are the primary drivers of sudden deaths.