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NDTV
17 hours ago
- Health
- NDTV
Covid Vaccines Not Behind Sudden Deaths, Suggests Top Medical Body Study
New Delhi: None of the Covid vaccine doses are linked to heart attacks and deaths, said Dr Sudheer Arava from AIIMS, who is part of the research currently underway by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Speaking to IANS, he noted that preliminary data so far has shown no indication between heart attack and Covid jabs, developed in the country. "Till now, our study data says that the vaccine has no effect on the cause of death, whether it is a first dose, second dose or third dose, there is no difference in it," Arava added. His comments amid concerns over several heart attack deaths being seen in the country. About the study, Arava, from AIIMS' Department of Pathology, said that it was launched by the ICMR, in the aftermath of deaths happening in the country after the arrival of Covid. Initial results, soon to be published, indicate that 50 per cent of the deaths caused among individuals between 18 to 45 years are due to heart attacks. The other finding is "unexplained death, in which we could not ascertain the cause". Further, to understand whether the deaths match with those during pre-COVID days, they analysed previous data but found no difference in the cause of death. "We found out that the pattern of death rate among young individuals in pre-COVID times is similar to that of during COVID. We did not find any effect of the vaccine in this... There is no clear-cut indication saying that the vaccine causes sudden death in young individuals," Arava told IANS. "The benefits of vaccines far outweigh the very small possible side effects," added Dr Rajiv Narang from the Department of Cardiology, AIIMS. He added that "people should be aware that a heart attack is not a simple issue -- there can be many causes for sudden cardiac arrest". Meanwhile, the Indian Vaccine Manufacturers Association (IVMA) also issued a statement assuring the safety of the Covid vaccines developed in the country. "Covid-19 vaccines of India were developed and manufactured with the highest safety and quality standards," IVMA Director General, Dr G.V.J.A. Harshavardhan, said. "All Covid-19 vaccines in India were approved for Emergency Use Authorisation (restricted use in emergency situations of the WHO guidelines)," he added. Harshavardhan noted that the approvals were based on extensive evaluation in preclinical studies and human clinical trials. He stated that the Indian vaccines not only helped "control the Covid-19 pandemic and restrict its impact on lives, livelihoods, but most importantly, enabling India's economic activity and GDP to rebound and grow to new heights globally". Harshavardhan said that the benefits of India-made Covid jabs were also extended to several countries worldwide, under the government's Vaccine Maitri programme. "We hereby reassure the public on the safety and efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines," he said.
Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Health
- Indian Express
No link between Covid vaccine and sudden cardiac arrest in young people: AIIMS Delhi study finds
There is no link between the Covid-19 vaccine and deaths in young people from cardiac arrest, claimed an ongoing study being conducted by AIIMS, New Delhi. These deaths were attributed to coronary artery disease (CHD) linked to poor lifestyle choices. These preliminary findings are part of an interim report based on a study, titled 'Establishing the cause in sudden unexplained deaths in young', which AIIMS is conducting in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research. On Thursday, doctors involved in the study said the cause of death among the young population was CHD. Addressing the risk factor around Covid vaccination, Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor of Community Medicine, said there was a huge benefit from vaccination. 'A certain risk is always present, which is why we do a risk and benefit analysis before starting any vaccination,' he added. Dr Rai was the principal investigator of the vaccine safety (phases 1 & 2) and effectiveness (phase 3) trial at AIIMS. Dr Abhishek Yadav, Professor of Forensic Medicine, said the study began in 2023 with a sample size of 300 medico-legal cases of sudden deaths. Post-mortems in these cases were conducted in the AIIMS Forensic Medicine Department. 'These were people between the ages of 18 and 45 years and 45 and 60 years… almost all of them had taken the Covid vaccine,' he said. Dr Sudheer Arava, Professor, Department of Pathology, who was involved in the study, said the biggest problem was coronary artery disease — more than 50% of those who died of the disease had a history of alcohol consumption and smoking. Almost all of them had evidence of the Covid-19 vaccine — either a single, double or booster dose. Explaining how they arrived at the findings, Dr Yadav said, 'These were people between the ages of 18 and 45 years and 45 and 60 years… almost all of them had taken the Covid vaccine. We first did a verbal autopsy where we noted down the patient's detailed history, stress, habits, etc. We then did a virtual autopsy and later a traditional autopsy, where we investigated every organ in the body. We then did a histopathological analysis of organs with the help of microscopy.' 'We examined every organ along with the forensic department and did whole body scans, whole body examinations… So any of the secondary causes we would have picked up might have caused the death of these people,' added Dr Arava. Dr Arava further said two-thirds of cardiovascular causes were atherosclerosis (plaque buildup inside the arteries). 'The less common causes were congenital heart problems, the heart vessels not being straight, the original vessels being small, and heart infections. All these problems were in less than 5% of the total sample size,' he added. He further said, looking at the pattern of deaths, there is no difference between the pre-Covid era and the post-Covid era. 'Vaccination has no role to play. The sudden deaths were happening pre-Covid too. The only thing that changed is that we have become more aware.' Dr Ambuj Roy, Professor, Cardiology, who was a part of the study, said vaccines act as a protective factor against cardiac complications of Covid. They reduced venous thrombosis or clotting in veins by 80%, arterial clotting, which leads to heart and brain attacks, by 50% and also reduced heart failure by 50%. According to Dr Rajiv Narang, Professor and Head, Cardiology, the risk factors include smoking, which is easily preventable. 'In the maximum number of heart attack cases where we have to conduct angioplasty, smoking was the most common factor. The other risks are diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, psychosocial stress which leads to abnormal hormone release, and abdominal obesity. Protective factors include exercising regularly and consuming fruits and vegetables,' he said. In the next part of the ongoing study, a molecular-level analysis will be done to find any connection between vaccines and deaths. 'We will analyse any mutation or variation on the molecular level, if any,' said Dr Arava.
