NEW DELHI, India — A year-long autopsy-based study conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences has found no scientific evidence linking Covid-19 vaccination to sudden deaths among young adults, reaffirming that the vaccines are safe and effective.
The study, titled “Burden of Sudden Death in Young Adults: A One-Year Observational Study at a Tertiary Care Centre in India,” has been published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, the flagship journal of the Indian Council of Medical Research.
Researchers examined sudden death cases among individuals aged 18 to 45 years using a combination of verbal autopsy, post-mortem imaging, conventional autopsy, and detailed histopathological analysis.
According to the findings, there was no statistically significant association between Covid-19 vaccination status and sudden deaths in the young population. Most deaths were attributed to well-established medical causes, with cardiovascular diseases emerging as the leading factor. Respiratory illnesses and other non-cardiac causes were also identified in several cases.
The study further noted that both Covid-19 infection history and vaccination status were similar across younger and older age groups, and no causal relationship between vaccination and sudden deaths was observed.
Researchers said the results are consistent with global scientific evidence supporting the safety of Covid-19 vaccines.
Dr Sudheer Arava, Professor at AIIMS, New Delhi, said the study is particularly significant at a time when misleading claims and unverified reports are circulating about a possible link between Covid-19 vaccines and sudden deaths.
He stressed that the findings clearly do not support such claims and highlighted the importance of relying on scientific, evidence-based research to guide public understanding.
Health experts noted that sudden deaths among young individuals, while tragic, are often linked to underlying and sometimes undiagnosed health conditions, particularly heart-related disorders. They emphasized the need for early health screening, lifestyle modifications, and timely medical intervention to reduce such risks.
Dr Arava also urged people to rely on credible scientific sources and avoid misinformation that could undermine public confidence in proven public health measures, including vaccination. (Source: IANS)
