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ICMR Study Finds No Link Between COVID-19 Vaccination and Sudden Deaths Among Young Adults: Nadda
Researchers gathered extensive data on COVID-19 vaccination status, previous infection or hospitalisation, post-Covid conditions, family history of sudden death, lifestyle factors like smoking, recreational drug use, alcohol consumption, binge drinking, and high-intensity physical activity in the 48 hours preceding death or interview.
- By Newsdesk
- New Delhi
- Jul 25, 2025
COVID-19 vaccination does not raise the risk of unexplained sudden deaths among young adults in India, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda informed the Lok Sabha on Friday, citing findings from a comprehensive study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Addressing a question on the subject, Nadda said the ICMR and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) employed two parallel approaches to understand the causes behind sudden deaths among young adults: a large-scale retrospective case-control study and a prospective investigation using virtual autopsies.
The ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) led a multicentric case-control study titled “Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India”, which was conducted across 47 tertiary hospitals in 19 states and union territories between May and August 2023. The study analysed 729 cases of sudden death and 2,916 matched controls.
The cases involved seemingly healthy individuals without any prior co-morbidities who died unexpectedly—either within 24 hours of hospitalisation or after appearing well within the previous day—between October 2021 and March 2023. Controls were matched for age, gender, and locality.
Researchers gathered extensive data on COVID-19 vaccination status, previous infection or hospitalisation, post-Covid conditions, family history of sudden death, lifestyle factors like smoking, recreational drug use, alcohol consumption, binge drinking, and high-intensity physical activity in the 48 hours preceding death or interview.
The findings revealed that receiving two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine significantly reduced the odds of unexplained sudden death. In contrast, prior COVID-related hospitalisation, a family history of sudden death, binge drinking, use of recreational drugs, and engaging in vigorous physical activity shortly before death were all associated with an increased risk.
“The study clearly shows that COVID-19 vaccination does not increase the risk of sudden, unexplained deaths in young adults,” Nadda said. “Rather, pre-existing conditions, genetic factors, and certain high-risk lifestyle behaviours appear to be more significant contributors.”
In a complementary effort, AIIMS Delhi, with ICMR support, is conducting a prospective study titled “Establishing the cause in sudden unexplained deaths in young.” Preliminary findings reaffirm that heart attacks (myocardial infarctions) remain the leading cause of sudden deaths among young adults, with no significant change in trends post-COVID.
Together, the two studies offer a robust scientific basis to dispel vaccine-related fears and provide deeper insights into the complex causes of sudden deaths in young adults. “They underline the importance of addressing underlying health risks and lifestyle choices while reinforcing the safety of COVID-19 vaccines,” Nadda concluded.