NEW DELHI, July 3: A panel of expert doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, have dismissed claims linking COVID-19 vaccines to a surge in sudden cardiac arrest deaths among youth. The statement comes a day after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also rejected similar allegations.
Speaking at a press briefing, Dr Karan Madan, Associate Professor at the Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, confirmed that a comprehensive study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between COVID-19 vaccines and sudden cardiac deaths. “No clear association was found,” he stated, adding that the vaccines had, in fact, played a crucial role in reducing mortality during the pandemic.
“Vaccines are the only possible measure to save lives during a pandemic. They were administered to a large number of people and provided immense benefits in preventing excess mortality,” Dr Madan emphasized.
Echoing his remarks, Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine, highlighted the global efficacy and safety record of COVID-19 vaccines. He noted that Covishield, widely used in India, showed an efficacy of 62.1%, and was developed using adenovirus vector technology, similar to the Sputnik vaccine. “More than 13 billion doses have already been administered worldwide. Countries like the United States have even completed their fourth dose,” he added.
Dr Rai also pointed out that the World Health Organization (WHO) has approved 12 vaccines globally, based on different platforms, including Covaxin, which uses traditional vaccine technology. The WHO currently recommends updated vaccines for everyone aged six months and above to protect against emerging variants.
