India’s leading medical research institutions have conclusively found no evidence linking COVID-19 vaccines to sudden deaths, according to extensive studies conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced these findings on July 2, 2025, following widespread public concern over reports of sudden cardiac deaths, particularly among young adults, in the post-pandemic period.
The concerns about a possible connection between COVID-19 vaccination and sudden deaths especially heart attacks in young people prompted the government to commission rigorous scientific studies. The investigations focused on adults aged 18–45 years and were conducted across 47 tertiary care hospitals in 19 states and Union Territories.
This multi-centric, matched case-control study reviewed cases of apparently healthy individuals who died suddenly between October 2021 and March 2023. The results showed no increased risk of unexplained sudden death in young adults following COVID-19 vaccination.
This prospective study aims to identify common causes of sudden deaths in young adults. Early results indicate that heart attacks (myocardial infarction) remain the leading cause, mirroring pre-pandemic trends. The study also found that genetic mutations, underlying health conditions, and lifestyle factors were primary contributors to these deaths—not COVID vaccination.
The Ministry clarified that sudden cardiac deaths can result from genetics, pre-existing health conditions, lifestyle choices, and post-COVID complications, but not from COVID-19 vaccines. These findings are consistent with global research and reinforce the safety profile of the vaccines administered in India.
COVID-19 vaccines have been credited with saving millions of lives during the pandemic. The government remains committed to evidence-based public health research and urges citizens to rely on credible scientific findings.
