Receiving the COVID-19 vaccination did not heighten the likelihood of sudden deaths, latest ICMR study says. The research further adds that rather than risk, in fact, it contributed to a decrease in the risk. According to the ICMR, factors such as previous COVID-19 hospitalisation, a family history of sudden deaths, excessive alcohol consumption, and engaging in intense unaccustomed physical activity were identified as elements associated with an elevated risk of sudden death.
The ICMR page on X (formerly Twitter) also shared key points from the study.
The yet to be published study titled “Determinants of Sudden Deaths in Indian Adults Aged 18-45: A Multicentric Matched Case-Control Investigation” is currently undergoing peer review. Official sources confirmed its completion earlier this month.
During an address in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, on Sunday, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya referenced the ICMR study, advising individuals who previously endured severe bouts of Covid to refrain from excessive physical exertion for a year or two to mitigate the risk of heart attacks and cardiac arrests.
Prompted by anecdotal reports of sudden deaths among seemingly healthy young adults in India, researchers conducted an investigation suspecting potential links to COVID-19 or its vaccination, as per sources.
The research aimed to scrutinize the contributing factors behind unexplained sudden deaths among healthy young adults in India. It encompassed incidents of sudden deaths with no pre-existing health conditions among individuals aged 18-45 between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2023.
Each case had four corresponding matched controls based on age, gender, and locality, as detailed by the sources.
The study enrolled 729 cases and 2,916 controls, gathering extensive information on medical history, lifestyle behaviors (such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and vigorous physical activities), Covid-related hospitalizations, and administered vaccine doses for both cases and controls.
According to the study, “COVID-19 vaccination did not elevate the risk of sudden deaths among young adults in India. On the contrary, it demonstrated a reduction in such occurrences. Factors that did heighten the likelihood of sudden deaths included prior Covid hospitalizations and specific behaviors like binge drinking and intense physical activity shortly before death. In essence, this research furnishes crucial insights into the factors contributing to sudden deaths among young adults in India.”