Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare addressed concerns in Lok Sabha regarding sudden deaths following COVID-19 vaccination. The government has implemented a communication strategy to raise awareness about vaccine safety and efficacy and has tasked ICMR and AIIMS to conduct studies into the causes of sudden deaths. Findings from ICMR indicate no increased risk of sudden death due to vaccination, while an AIIMS study is ongoing. The government has also issued directives for systematic monitoring and reporting of unexplained sudden deaths and has implemented measures to strengthen public trust in the national vaccination program.
Key Points / Main Content:
Public Concerns and Awareness:
* Government acknowledges public concerns regarding sudden deaths post-COVID-19 vaccination.
* A communication strategy is in place to raise awareness about vaccine safety and efficacy, implemented across all States/UTs.
Addressing Misinformation:
* Key interventions include FAQs, expert op-eds, and fact-check videos.
* States/UTs advised to disseminate clear, consistent, and factual information to counter misconceptions.
Studies on Sudden Deaths:
* ICMR and NCDC explored two approaches to investigate the causes of sudden death.
* ICMR-NIE study found COVID-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death among young adults.
* Past COVID-19 hospitalization, family history of sudden death, and certain lifestyle behaviors increased the likelihood of unexplained sudden death.
* AIIMS, with ICMR funding, is conducting a prospective study to determine common causes of sudden deaths in young adults (18-45 years); the study is ongoing.
Monitoring and Reporting:
* Operational guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination define the process of monitoring, reporting, management, and evaluation of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI).
* The AEFI Committee was strengthened with specialists from various medical fields.
Strengthening Public Trust:
* A multi-pronged, evidence-based communication and outreach strategy is adopted.
* Press notes, press releases, and social media campaigns clarify the scientific evidence and safety of vaccines.
* Experts actively supported efforts by issuing statements, participating in media briefings, and engaging with citizens.
* Mainstream news agencies were leveraged to amplify expert opinions and scientific updates.
* Interim findings of ICMR and AIIMS studies were publicly released, concluding no causal link between vaccination and sudden deaths.
Impact Analysis:
General Public:
* Impact: Addressed concerns about vaccine safety and provided factual information to counter misinformation.
* Action Required: Stay informed through official channels and adhere to public health guidelines.
Healthcare Workers:
* Impact: Provided with FAQs and clear guidelines on AEFI monitoring and reporting.
* Action Required: Implement AEFI monitoring and reporting protocols, disseminate accurate information, and address public concerns.
State Health Departments:
* Impact: Directed to monitor and report cases of unexplained sudden deaths more systematically and disseminate factual information.
* Action Required: Strengthen surveillance mechanisms for unexplained sudden deaths, implement communication strategies to address misinformation and sustain vaccine confidence.
ICMR and AIIMS:
* Impact: Tasked with conducting studies to investigate the causes of sudden deaths and provide scientific evidence.
* Action Required: Continue ongoing studies, disseminate findings transparently, and provide expert opinions.
Key Entities Referenced
COVID19: A disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): An apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.
National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC): An institute under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, coordinating disease surveillance activities.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi: A medical research public university and hospital based in New Delhi, India.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: A ministry of the Government of India.
Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI): Any untoward medical occurrence which follows immunization and which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the usage of the vaccine.
ICMR NIE: ICMR National Institute of Epidemiology, an institute of the Indian Council of Medical Research.
States/UTs: Refers to the States and Union Territories of India.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION No. 1118
TOBE ANSWERED ON25TH JULY2025
COVID-19 VACCINATION
1118.SHRIMOHIBBULLAH:
Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether the Government acknowledge public concerns over sudden deaths due to COVID-19
vaccinationinthe countryandif so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps taken/purposed tobe takenbythe Government toaddress misinformation inthisregard;
(c) the key findings of the studies conducted by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and
National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on sudden unexplained deaths among young adults
post-COVID-19pandemic;
(d) whether the Government has issued any directives to medical institutions or State health
departments to monitor and report cases of unexplained sudden deaths more systematically and if
so, the detailsthereof;
(e) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to strengthen public trust in the
nationalCOVID-19 vaccinationprogramme amidst ongoingmisinformation campaigns; and
(f) the current status and objectives of the study titled “Establishing the cause insudden unexplained
deathsinyoung”,beingconductedbyAIIMS andICMR?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATEIN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) & (b) Government of India is aware of the public concern over sudden deaths following COVID-
19 vaccination in the country. In order to raise awareness about safety and efficacy of COVID-19
vaccines and sustain vaccine confidence, a communication strategy is in place which is implemented
across all States/UTs. Some key interventions as part of communication strategy include FAQs forgeneral public and healthcare workers that is available on MoHFW website
(https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/FAQsforHCWs&FLWs.pdf); op-eds and articles by identified
expertswere published tobuildvaccine confidence;dissemination of fact checkvideosbykeyexperts
to provide correct & factual information. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has advised
States/UTs to disseminate clear, consistent, transparent and factual information to general public to
clearmisconceptionsand sustain vaccineconfidence.
(c) & (f) ICMR and NCDC explored two approaches to investigate the causes of sudden death. The
detailsof boththese studies are asfollows:
Study 1: 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” at 47 tertiary
care hospitals located across 19 states/UT of India during May- August 2023.The study observed that
COVID-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death among young adults in
India. Past COVID-19 hospitalization, family history of sudden death and certain lifestyle behaviors
increasedthe likelihood of unexplainedsudden death.
Study 2: The study, titled “Establishing the cause in sudden unexplained deaths in young,” is
currently conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi with funding
and incollaboration with ICMR. Thisisa prospective study aimedat determining the common causes
of sudden deaths in young adults. The objective of the study is to establish the common causes of
sudden deathinyoungadultpatients of age 18yearsto45years. The study isnot yet completed.
(d) The operational guidelines for Covid-19 vaccination clearly defines the process of monitoring,
reporting, management and evaluation of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) after
Covid-19 vaccination. The AEFI Committee was strengthened for Covid-19 vaccination with
inclusion of specialists from Cardiology / Neurology / Respiratory Medicine / Obstetrics etc.
(e) To strengthen public trust in the COVID-19 vaccination programme, the Government of India has
adopted a multi-pronged, evidence-based communication and outreach strategy. Key measures
include:
Press Notes, Press Releases, and Social Media Campaigns: The Government issued
multiple press notes and releases clarifying the scientific evidence and safety of COVID-
19vaccines. Expert-Led Public Communication: 23 distinguished experts and industry leaders
actively supported the Government’s efforts by issuing public statements, participating in
media briefings, and engaging with citizens to dispel myths and affirm vaccine safety and
efficacy on3rdand4th July,2025.
Strategic Media Engagement: The Ministry leveraged mainstream news agencies like
ANI, PTI, DD News, and IANS to amplify expert opinions and scientific updates. These
were widely shared across platforms to counter misinformation and increase public
awareness.
Ongoing Scientific Research and Transparency: The Government ensured full
transparency by publicly releasing
(https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2141419) the interim findings of
two large-scale studies conducted by ICMR and AIIMS, both of which concluded that
there is no evidence of a causal link between COVID-19 vaccination and sudden deaths.
These scientific updates were part of a proactive effortto inform andreassure the public.
*******