New Delhi, July 25 (UNI) Union Health Minister JP Nadda today informed Lok Sabha that Covid-19 vaccination does not increase the risk of unexplained sudden deaths, and pointed instead to underlying health issues, genetic predisposition, and lifestyle factors as key contributors.
Responding during the ongoing Monsoon Session, Nadda cited findings from multiple studies conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.
The studies, he said, had found no evidence linking Covid-19 vaccines to increased mortality among young adults.
“Covid-19 vaccination did not appear to elevate the risk of sudden death,” Nadda stated, adding that factors such as past Covid-19 hospitalisation, family history of sudden death, recreational drug use, binge drinking, and intense physical activity shortly before death were more strongly associated with such cases.
Referring to a retrospective case-control study by ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), the Minister said the research covered 47 tertiary care hospitals across 19 states and Union Territories between May and August 2023. It examined 729 sudden death cases involving adults aged 18-45 with no known comorbidities, alongside 2,916 matched controls.
The study analysed data related to Covid-19 vaccination status, previous infection, post-Covid conditions, familial health history, and behavioural factors. Notably, individuals who had received two doses of the vaccine showed a significantly lower risk of unexplained sudden death.
A second, prospective study led by AIIMS Delhi, in collaboration with ICMR, sought to establish definitive causes of sudden deaths among young adults through virtual autopsy techniques. Preliminary findings reaffirmed that heart attacks, or myocardial infarction (MI), remain the leading cause of sudden deaths in this demographic. Crucially, the pattern of causes has not changed significantly when compared to pre-pandemic years.
“These studies collectively offer a deeper insight into the phenomenon of sudden unexplained deaths,” Nadda said. “Vaccination is not a contributing factor; rather, it may be protective. The emphasis must remain on identifying and addressing underlying health risks and lifestyle practices.”
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav informed the House that 164 Covid-related deaths were reported by States and Union Territories between April and July this year. Most of the deceased had existing comorbidities.
“Covid-19 cases saw a modest uptick from late May, but declined significantly by mid-June,” Jadhav said in a written reply. As of July 22, a total of 164 deaths had been recorded during the summer wave, he added.
