The Union Health Ministry highlighted on Friday that sudden deaths among individuals can be attributed to factors such as binge drinking, the use of recreational drugs, and engaging in vigorous-intensity physical activity.
Quoting findings from a study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Union Minister for Health Mansukh Mandaviya shared that the analysis included 729 cases and 2916 controls.
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According to Mandaviya, the study revealed that receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine reduced the odds of unexplained sudden death. On the contrary, past COVID-19 hospitalisation, a family history of sudden death, binge drinking within 48 hours of death, recreational drug and substance use, and vigorous physical activity 48 hours before death were found to be positively associated with such incidents.
Mandaviya informed the Lok Sabha that two doses of the vaccine lowered the odds of unexplained sudden death, while single doses did not.
He acknowledged that sudden deaths have been reported in some individuals after COVID-19, but conclusive evidence on the cause of such deaths is lacking.
In response to rising concerns, the ICMR-NIE conducted a study titled "Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India – A multicentric matched case–control study" across 47 tertiary care hospitals in 19 states/UTs from May to August 2023.
The study included four controls per case, matched for age, gender, and neighbourhood. Information was gathered on COVID-19 vaccination, infection, post-COVID-19 conditions, family history of sudden death, smoking, recreational drug use, alcohol frequency, binge drinking, and vigorous-intensity physical activity two days before death among the cases.
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Mandaviya emphasised that the study found no increased risk of unexplained sudden death among young adults in India associated with COVID-19 vaccination. However, factors such as past COVID-19 hospitalisation, a family history of sudden death, and certain lifestyle behaviours were identified as contributors to the likelihood of unexplained sudden death.
Regarding vaccine safety, Mandaviya assured that the Nationwide National Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) surveillance system continuously monitors reports of vaccine-related AEFI through the COWIN app, with no direct signals linking heart attacks to COVID-19 vaccines.
Responding to inquiries about ongoing studies on potential risks associated with administering COVID-19 vaccines to children, Mandaviya clarified that the ICMR is not currently conducting such studies.
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Nevertheless, he mentioned positive results from a phase 2/3 study on the safety and immunogenicity of the BBV152 vaccine in children aged 2–18 years and an observational study on Corbevax vaccine side effects in children aged 12–14 years, indicating the vaccines' safety profiles.
