The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday firmly rejected claims made by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah linking sudden heart-related deaths in Hassan district to Covid vaccination, citing extensive studies by ICMR and AIIMS that found no such connection.
Siddaramaiah had suggested that “hasty approval and distribution” of Covid vaccines could be responsible for over 20 sudden cardiac deaths reported in Hassan in the past month. He urged people experiencing chest pain or breathing difficulty to seek immediate medical attention.
Countering these remarks, the ministry stated that thorough investigations by agencies including the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have conclusively established no direct association between Covid-19 vaccines and sudden unexplained deaths.
“Studies affirm that COVID-19 vaccines in India are safe and effective, with extremely rare serious side effects,” the ministry noted. It added that sudden cardiac deaths are typically linked to genetics, lifestyle factors, pre-existing conditions, and post-Covid complications.
Two complementary studies were launched to investigate these deaths: one retrospective analysis by ICMR’s National Institute of Epidemiology covering 47 hospitals in 19 states, and a prospective study led by AIIMS Delhi, funded in collaboration with ICMR. Both found no evidence that Covid vaccines increased the risk of sudden deaths among young adults aged 18-45.
Early AIIMS findings confirmed heart attacks remain the primary cause of sudden deaths, while genetic mutations often contribute in unexplained cases. Importantly, the data showed no significant change in causes of sudden deaths compared with previous years.
The ministry warned that speculative statements undermining vaccine safety risk fueling public hesitancy, jeopardizing the massive gains made during the pandemic when vaccines saved millions of lives. It stressed the government’s continued commitment to evidence-based public health research.
Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah has formed a committee led by Dr. Ravindranath of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences to investigate the series of heart attack deaths in Hassan district, with a report expected in 10 days.
