A day after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hinted that recent heart-related deaths in Hassan district might be linked to the COVID-19 vaccine, the Union Health Ministry clarified that there is no evidence supporting such a connection.
On Tuesday, Siddaramaiah had said that the “hasty approval and distribution” of the COVID-19 vaccine could be a factor in the deaths. He also advised people experiencing chest pain or breathing difficulties to seek medical help without delay.
In response, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday that several detailed studies by top health agencies have shown no link between COVID-19 vaccination and sudden deaths.
“Studies by ICMR and AIIMS have clearly shown that the COVID-19 vaccine is not responsible for sudden unexplained deaths,” the ministry said in a statement.
What the studies found
The government said that sudden deaths, especially in young adults aged 18 to 45, have been closely studied in recent years. Two major studies were launched to understand the reasons behind these deaths.
The first study was conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) through its National Institute of Epidemiology. It took place from May to August 2023 in 47 major hospitals across 19 states and union territories.
This study looked at people who appeared healthy but died suddenly between October 2021 and March 2023. The findings showed that COVID-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of sudden death in young adults.
The second study is being done by AIIMS, New Delhi, with support from ICMR. ThisThe Health Ministry stated that a comparison of current data with previous years showed no significant change in the causes of sudden deaths. In several cases, underlying genetic conditions were identified as contributing factors. The complete findings will be shared once the AIIMS study is finalised.
“These studies clearly show that the COVID-19 vaccine does not raise the risk of sudden death. Instead, existing health conditions, genetic issues, and lifestyle choices play a bigger role,” the ministry said. study is still ongoing and focuses on finding the main causes behind sudden deaths in young adults. Early results show that heart attacks (myocardial infarction) are still the leading cause of sudden death in this age group.