No Link Between COVID-19 Vaccines and Sudden Heart Attack Deaths, Says Health Ministry

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday clarified that COVID-19 vaccines are not linked to the recent surge in sudden deaths caused by heart attacks.

Citing extensive research conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the ministry said the studies have found no evidence connecting the vaccines to sudden cardiac fatalities.

“Extensive studies by ICMR and AIIMS on sudden deaths among adults post-COVID have conclusively established no linkage between COVID-19 vaccines and sudden deaths,” the ministry said in a statement. “The vaccines in India have been found to be safe and effective, with extremely rare instances of serious side effects.”

The statement emphasized that sudden cardiac deaths can be attributed to various causes such as genetic predisposition, pre-existing medical conditions, unhealthy lifestyles, or complications following COVID-19 infection itself. It warned against spreading misinformation that links vaccinations to these incidents.

The clarification comes amid rising public concern following the recent death of actor Shefali Jariwala, 42, who reportedly died of a heart attack in Mumbai last week. According to the police, Jariwala collapsed at her residence on Friday night and was declared dead on arrival at Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital in Andheri. Preliminary findings suggest a sudden drop in blood pressure may have triggered a cardiac arrest. Her post-mortem report is awaited, and no foul play is suspected.

Since 2020, a noticeable rise in heart-related deaths among young adults has fueled speculation about a possible connection to COVID-19 vaccines. However, the latest findings from ICMR, AIIMS, and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) aim to lay such concerns to rest, reaffirming the safety of India’s vaccination program.