ICMR Study: No Link Between COVID Vaccines and Sudden Deaths in Young Adults
New Delhi: A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has found that Covid-19 vaccines did not increase the risk of sudden death among young adults in India. The study, titled ‘Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India – a multicentric matched case-control study,’ involved 47 tertiary care hospitals across the country. It aimed to investigate the contributing factors to sudden deaths, particularly in the context of anecdotal reports suggesting a link to Covid-19 infection or vaccination.
The peer-reviewed study analyzed 729 cases of sudden unexplained deaths among individuals aged 18-45 years, who were hospitalized without known co-morbidities and died within 24 hours of hospitalization between October 2021 and March 2023. The control group consisted of 2,916 healthy individuals from the community. Most sudden deaths were attributed to cardiac reasons, but not necessarily cardiac arrest.
Contrary to concerns and anecdotal reports, the study concluded that Covid vaccination was not a contributing factor to sudden deaths among young adults. In fact, the study suggested that vaccination may have played a preventive role, potentially reducing the risk of sudden deaths. The analysis revealed that individuals who had received two vaccine doses had lower odds of unexplained sudden death compared to those with a single dose.
The study also identified other contributing factors associated with sudden deaths, including past-Covid hospitalization, family history of sudden deaths, binge drinking, and intense unaccustomed physical activity. Interviews were conducted to collect data on Covid-19 vaccination, infection, post-Covid conditions, family medical history, smoking, recreational drug use, alcohol consumption frequency, and vigorous-intensity physical activity two days before death.
Notably, the frequency of alcohol use was positively associated with the odds of unexplained sudden death, suggesting a correlation between alcohol consumption and such incidents. The study’s findings emphasize the importance of considering multiple factors and avoiding the attribution of sudden deaths solely to Covid vaccination.
While the pathways through which Covid-19 may cause sudden deaths remain unclear, the study acknowledged that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. However, the evidence for sudden deaths among individuals recovered from Covid-19 or experiencing breakthrough infections is limited.
Dr. Manoj Murhekar, the director of ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology and corresponding author of the study, highlighted that the study aimed to dispel unfounded claims linking Covid vaccination to sudden deaths. The research underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of contributing factors and a nuanced approach to public health messaging.
Experts have welcomed the study’s findings, emphasizing the existing evidence supporting the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing severe Covid-19 outcomes. Dr. KK Talwar, former head of the cardiology department at AIIMS-Delhi, noted that blaming Covid vaccines for sudden deaths lacked adequate proof, emphasizing the role of vaccines in preventing severe disease and the importance of avoiding excessive exercise, especially for individuals leading sedentary lives.
