AIIMS Study Finds No Link Between COVID-19 Vaccination and Sudden Deaths in Young Adults

New Delhi, Dec 2025 : A comprehensive year-long autopsy-based study conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has found no scientific evidence linking COVID-19 vaccination to sudden deaths among young adults, reaffirming the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines.

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 (ICMR). It examined sudden and unexplained deaths among individuals aged between 18 and 45 years over a one-year period.

Researchers adopted a rigorous and multi-layered approach to investigation, using verbal autopsy, post-mortem imaging, conventional autopsy and detailed histopathological analysis. This comprehensive methodology allowed the team to accurately determine the causes of death and assess any potential association with COVID-19 vaccination.

According to the findings, there was no statistically significant link between vaccination status and sudden deaths in the young population. The study revealed that the majority of deaths were attributable to established medical conditions, with cardiovascular diseases emerging as the most common cause. Respiratory illnesses and other non-cardiac factors were also identified in several cases.

Importantly, the researchers noted that both COVID-19 infection history and vaccination status were comparable across different age groups, further strengthening the conclusion that vaccination did not play a causal role in sudden deaths. The results align with global scientific evidence supporting the safety profile of COVID-19 vaccines.

Dr Sudheer Arava, Professor at AIIMS, New Delhi, said the study assumes added significance at a time when misinformation and unverified claims are circulating about a possible link between COVID-19 vaccines and sudden deaths. He emphasised that the findings clearly refute such claims and highlighted the importance of relying on scientific, evidence-based research to shape public understanding.

Health experts have also pointed out that sudden deaths among young individuals, though deeply tragic, are often linked to underlying and sometimes undiagnosed health conditions, particularly heart-related disorders. They stressed the need for early health screening, healthier lifestyles and timely medical intervention to reduce such risks.

Dr Arava advised the public to place trust in credible scientific institutions and avoid misinformation that could erode confidence in proven public health measures, including vaccination, which continues to play a crucial role in preventing severe disease and saving lives.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)