'COVID-19 vaccines not linked to sudden adult deaths': ICMR-AIIMS research

July 2, 2025 by News Desk

Comprehensive studies led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have found no link between COVID-19 vaccinations and sudden deaths among adults in India.COVID vaccine sudden death India.

Amid rising public anxiety and speculation over unexpected deaths, particularly among individuals aged 18 to 45, the Indian government had initiated two nationwide studies to examine the causes.

The investigations were intended to address claims circulating about vaccine safety and to determine whether there was any correlation between recent inoculations and sudden fatalities.

One of the key studies, carried out by the National Institute of Epidemiology under ICMR, analyzed sudden deaths that occurred from October 2021 to March 2023.

Conducted across 47 major hospitals in 19 different states and Union Territories between May and August 2023, the research found no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines contributed to these deaths in otherwise healthy individuals.

In parallel, AIIMS New Delhi, in collaboration with ICMR, is still conducting a prospective study titled “Establishing the Cause in Sudden Unexplained Deaths in Young.”

Preliminary insights from this study highlight that heart attacks continue to be the leading cause of such deaths, and the data remains consistent with patterns observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Several cases were also found to have links to underlying genetic mutations.

Medical professionals and scientists have reiterated that the COVID-19 vaccines administered in India have a strong safety record, with serious adverse effects being extremely rare.

They have warned against misinformation campaigns that link vaccines to sudden deaths, calling such narratives dangerous and misleading.

A senior ICMR official noted that the spread of unfounded claims harms public confidence in vaccines, which played a crucial role in controlling the pandemic and saving lives.

The central government has emphasized the importance of continuing to base health decisions on scientific evidence and pledged support for ongoing medical research to ensure the population’s safety and welfare.