The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that the COVID-19 vaccination is not responsible for unexplained sudden deaths among young adults in India.

“The 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 behaviours increased the likelihood of unexplained sudden death,” the ICMR study said, according to ANI.

The ICMR study titled ‘Factors associated with sudden deaths among adults aged 18–45 years in India – a multicentric matched case-control study’ referred to certain factors that may increase the risk of sudden deaths. Among the causes, history of severe Covid-19 infection, binge drinking, use of recreational drugs or substances are responsible for deaths within 48 hours.

The claim came amid reports of increasing sudden deaths of young adults due to cardiac arrest.

Earlier, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had said that those who had earlier suffered a severe bout of Covid must not overexert themselves for a year or two to avoid heart attacks.