Covishield is Safe, No Link to Sudden Deaths: Serum Institute Responds to CM Siddaramaiah’s Vaccine Concerns

New Delhi: Amid rising public concern over sudden cardiac deaths and speculation linking them to COVID-19 vaccinations, the Serum Institute of India (SII), the makers of Covishield, issued a strong statement reaffirming the vaccine’s safety and scientific validity.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), SII wrote: “In light of recent concerns, we affirm: Two large-scale studies by ICMR and AIIMS, as cited by the Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA), have found no link between COVID-19 vaccines and sudden deaths. The vaccines are safe and scientifically validated.”

This public statement follows remarks made by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who raised questions about a possible connection between COVID-19 vaccines and the rising number of heart attacks, especially among young individuals. Referring to recent deaths in Hassan district, where over 20 people reportedly succumbed to heart attacks in just one month, Siddaramaiah said further investigation was necessary.

He posted on X: “Orders were given to this same committee back in February to conduct a thorough study on the reasons behind sudden deaths among young people in the state, and whether the COVID vaccines could have any adverse effects. In this regard, the process of examining and analyzing heart patients is also underway.”

However, medical authorities have responded with clarity. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have both conducted detailed studies that found no direct correlation between COVID-19 vaccines and unexpected deaths in the country.

Their findings underline that genetics, lifestyle factors, underlying health conditions, and post-COVID complications are far more likely explanations for sudden cardiac events than vaccination. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) also released an official rebuttal, stating that multiple expert-led investigations across the country have conclusively found no evidence linking the vaccine to sudden deaths.