Recent studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have found no link between COVID-19 vaccines and sudden deaths in adults. The Union Health Ministry released a statement confirming these findings, emphasizing that lifestyle and pre-existing conditions are the primary factors contributing to such deaths.

The studies were prompted by concerns over rising heart attack rates among adults under 40 in India. Several high-profile deaths of celebrities in their 40s and 50s due to heart ailments in recent years have heightened these concerns. In response to these concerns, ICMR and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) collaborated to investigate the causes of sudden, unexplained deaths, especially in young adults aged 18 to 45.

One study, conducted from May to August 2023 across 47 hospitals in 19 states and union territories, focused on individuals who appeared healthy but died suddenly between October 2021 and March 2023. A second study was conducted by AIIMS, New Delhi, with funding and collaboration from ICMR. The findings from the first study conclusively showed that COVID-19 vaccination does not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death in young adults. Early analysis from the AIIMS study indicates that heart attacks continue to be the leading cause of sudden death in this age group.

The Health Ministry has refuted claims linking COVID-19 vaccination to sudden deaths, calling them "false and misleading" and not supported by scientific consensus. They caution that such claims could undermine public confidence in vaccines and increase vaccine hesitancy, which could negatively impact public health.

The studies suggest that sudden cardiac deaths can result from various factors, including genetics, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions, and post-COVID complications. Experts are urging the public to focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing pre-existing conditions to mitigate the risk of sudden cardiac events.