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News18
07-07-2025
- Health
- News18
If Vaccines Hadn't Saved Us From Covid-19, We Wouldn't Be Here To Question Heart Attacks
Last Updated: There is no conclusive proof that Covid vaccines directly caused a spike in heart attacks but we can't ignore that Covid-19 itself has left behind a legacy of cardiovascular damage The rise in heart-related complications and sudden deaths post-Covid-19 has triggered several debates, especially around the role of vaccines. Social media amplifies claims—often anecdotal, rarely scientific—linking Covid-19 vaccines to cardiac issues. But here's a fundamental question: If these vaccines hadn't been developed in record time, would we have even lived long enough to speculate on their side effects? The latest debate was triggered by a post on the social media platform X, where Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote on July 1: 'In the past month alone, in just one district of Hassan, more than twenty people have died due to heart attacks. The government is taking this matter very seriously… It cannot be denied that the hasty approval and distribution of the Covid vaccine to the public could also be a reason for these deaths, as several studies worldwide have recently indicated that COVID vaccines could be a cause for the increasing number of heart attacks…" In response, what we saw throughout last week was a coordinated and deliberate effort from the Centre, leading medical institutions, and vaccine manufacturers to rebuild and reinforce public confidence in Covid-19 vaccines. Siddaramaiah's claim was strongly rebutted, not only by government-run institutions but also by top pharmaceutical executives, researchers, and well-known doctors. Sample this: The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA)—the lobby of domestic pharmaceutical companies representing Sun Pharma, Glenmark, Lupin, Cipla and many others—issued a strong statement supporting Covid-19 vaccines. Industry leaders like Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw of Biocon and Samir Mehta of Torrent Pharma also publicly backed vaccine safety and dismissed the unfounded claims. Top doctors from AIIMS and scientists at ICMR have taken to public platforms to bust myths and explain the science, stressing that panic must not replace facts. The Serum Institute of India (SII)—manufacturer of India's poster boy vaccine Covishield—also reaffirmed that Covid-19 vaccines are safe, scientifically validated, and critical in saving lives. Given that over 170 crore doses of Covishield have been administered out of the 200+ crore total vaccine doses in India, this clarification is not just welcome but vital. These clarifications were essential in addressing the growing public anxiety around sudden cardiac deaths, particularly among younger people. While these incidents are tragic and deserve a detailed investigation, the Union government has made it unequivocally clear: these deaths should not be automatically linked to Covid-19 vaccination. Let's understand this scientifically. As of today, there is no conclusive evidence that Covid-19 vaccines directly caused a spike in heart attacks or sudden cardiac arrests in India. However, we must not ignore a crucial truth: Covid-19 itself has left behind a legacy of cardiovascular damage. The virus is known to inflame blood vessels and affect heart muscle tissue. A 2022 study in Nature Medicine found a 63 per cent higher risk of heart attack in patients within a year of Covid infection. Multiple global studies, including those published in respected medical journals such as The Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine, have shown that the risk of myocarditis and other heart complications is higher after a Covid-19 infection than after vaccination. A study conducted by the Indian Journal of Medical Research—a peer-reviewed publication supported by ICMR—concluded that Covid-19 vaccination was not associated with an increased risk of unexplained sudden death among young adults. On the contrary, the study documented that vaccination reduced the risk of unexplained sudden death in this age group. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) have reiterated that adverse events following immunisation (AEFIs) remain extremely rare. India's official AEFI data shows less than 0.01 per cent serious reactions among the more than 2.2 billion doses administered. Add to this another critical factor: Indians are more genetically susceptible to heart diseases than Western populations. According to a Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia study published in February 2023, the cardiovascular burden in India is higher than the global average. The age-standardised death rate globally is 233 deaths per 1,00,000, while for India it is 282 per 1,00,000. Yet, unfounded narratives continue to gain traction—some fuelled by misinformation, others by genuine grief seeking answers in a complex post-pandemic landscape. What the available evidence shows is that vaccines, by reducing the severity and spread of the virus, likely played a role in limiting long-term cardiovascular consequences. They weren't just about immediate survival—they bought us time and prevented the invisible wave of complications that continues to unfold. Even if science someday finds a small causal link between certain vaccines and rare cardiac events, we must remember: public health is about trade-offs. During a pandemic, decisions must be made under pressure, aiming to save as many lives as possible. Vaccines were not perfect and they were never claimed to be. What they were, and remain, is effective and life-saving on a population scale. It's also essential to acknowledge the wider ecosystem of risk: lockdown-induced sedentary lifestyles, elevated stress, mental health challenges, and delayed chronic care. And also, the genetic structure of Indians, which is vulnerable to metabolic resistance, hence, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases develop relatively easily. These all contribute to rising cardiac cases—and must be part of the conversation. Blaming vaccines alone oversimplifies a deeply layered issue. top videos View all In short, this is not a defence of pharmaceutical companies or vaccine makers who profited heavily during the pandemic, nor is it a dismissal of the real grief of those who lost loved ones. This is a call for nuance. We need to look at the full picture, not just one side of the story. Let's continue investigating, let's strengthen pharmacovigilance and monitoring across India. Remember, we are alive to debate the side effects because the vaccines worked. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : AIIMS COVID-19 vaccine covishield health matters Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw news18 specials Serum Institute of India Siddaramaiah Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 07, 2025, 10:00 IST News india If Vaccines Hadn't Saved Us From Covid-19, We Wouldn't Be Here To Question Heart Attacks
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Covid vaccine & Karnataka's recent cardiac deaths not linked, finds Jayadeva Institute report
Bengaluru: A state govt-backed study into the alarming rise in sudden cardiovascular events (including heart attacks and cardiac deaths) among youngsters has concluded that Covid-19 vaccination isn't linked to the fatalities. The study categorically states: "There is no single cause behind the observed rise in sudden cardiac deaths; it appears to be a multi-factorial issue with behaviour, genetic and environmental risks." Commissioned by the Siddaramaiah govt and readied by Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research director Dr KS Ravindranath, the sudy follows growing public concern over anecdotal reports of heart attacks and sudden deaths, especially among individuals under 45 years of age, in the state in the post-pandemic era. This multi-disciplinary effort — led by cardiologists, public health experts, virologists and epidemiologists — synthesised national and international data, and included a pilot study of 251 patients admitted to Jayadeva hospital with coronary artery disease between April 1 and May 31 this year. The findings were clear: No evidence was found linking Covid-19 vaccination and increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease. On the contrary, Indian and international studies reviewed by the expert panel suggested that Covid vaccines, particularly inactivated and mRNA platforms, are associated with lower odds of sudden cardiac death. The study also emphasised that most vaccine-related cardiac complications reported globally were rare, self-limiting, and significantly less severe than those caused by the actual Covid-19 infection. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Out of the 251 patients studied, nearly all (249) had been vaccinated, with 72% having received two doses and 57% having taken Covishield — the most common vaccine administered in the country. Only 19 patients (7.6%) reported a history of Covid infection, which could be an effect of recall bias (when the survey participant's ability to accurately remember past events becomes flawed over time) or a pointer to the high rate of asymptomatic infections in the population. Effect of lifestyle changes A comparison with pre-pandemic data from 2019 showed a modest rise in conventional cardiac risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol disorders, indicating that lifestyle changes during the pandemic period may be driving the increased cardiovascular burden rather than the virus or the vaccine. The data shows while Covid-19 infection can cause inflammation and clotting abnormalities that increase short-term cardiac risk, there's no scientific evidence to support long-term increased risk due to vaccination. It instead attributes the trend to multiple causes, including rising metabolic disorders, sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, and substance abuse among youngsters.
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Business Standard
05-07-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Piyush Goyal seeks apology from CM Siddaramaiah over remarks on vaccine
Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday demanded that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah apologise to the country's scientists and pharmaceutical sector for his recent remarks linking COVID-19 vaccines to a spate of heart attack deaths in the state and questioned whether he was "running the agenda of foreign forces". Accusing the Chief Minister of "insulting" India's scientists, startups, and its pharmaceutical strength, Goyal said his comments undermine the people who worked tirelessly during the pandemic. According to Goyal, it is "unfortunate" that such remarks are coming from the CM of a country that is known as the 'pharmacy of the world', a country where our startups are expanding and forming an ecosystem, a country where our vaccines were exported on a large scale to other nations. This was possible only because our pharmaceutical companies had the strength and innovation to produce vaccines at a cost of less than Rs 100, he told reporters here. Lauding the pharmaceutical companies, he said they made India proud. "We didn't just roll out one vaccine, but two. The country was able to provide free vaccines to our entire population... He insulted our scientists and pharmaceutical companies," he claimed. "Is he running the agenda of foreign forces that want to harm India's pharmaceutical sector, disturbed by India's financial growth? Whether it is the Congress party, the CM, or all their partners, do they want to strengthen the hands of foreign forces by demeaning India? He should answer and apologise to our scientists and pharmaceutical companies," he further alleged. Earlier, addressing the IIT Madras Alumni Association's Sangam 2025 event here, he added that Siddaramaiah does not take pride in India's success or its startups and scientists. Instead, he is "ashamed of India and its startups achieving such remarkable success." He credited Bharat Biotech for developing India's first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, and Oxford-AstraZeneca for granting rights to produce Covishield at Pune-based Serum Institute of India. "We were not only able to provide 2.5 billion vaccines free of charge to all our citizens, but also supplied vaccines to over 100 nations, particularly less developed or developing countries that otherwise had no protection against this disease," he said. Goyal pointed out that even today, India is being thanked for the medicines and vaccines it provided to other nations during the pandemic. "They (Congress) want to run down India's success stories, and it pains us when we hear this kind of negativity coming from certain sections of society," he alleged. Neither the Congress nor Siddaramaiah has responded to Goyal's claims so far.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Piyush Goyal demands apology from CM Siddaramaiah over vaccine remarks
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday demanded that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah apologise to the country's scientists and pharmaceutical sector for his recent remarks linking COVID-19 vaccines to a spate of heart attack deaths in the state and questioned whether he was "running the agenda of foreign forces".Accusing the Chief Minister of "insulting" India's scientists, startups, and its pharmaceutical strength, Goyal said his comments undermine the people who worked tirelessly during the to Goyal, it is "unfortunate" that such remarks are coming from the CM of a country that is known as the 'pharmacy of the world', a country where our startups are expanding and forming an ecosystem, a country where our vaccines were exported on a large scale to other was possible only because our pharmaceutical companies had the strength and innovation to produce vaccines at a cost of less than Rs 100, he told reporters the pharmaceutical companies, he said they made India proud."We didn't just roll out one vaccine, but two. The country was able to provide free vaccines to our entire population... He insulted our scientists and pharmaceutical companies," he claimed."Is he running the agenda of foreign forces that want to harm India's pharmaceutical sector, disturbed by India's financial growth? Whether it is the Congress party, the CM, or all their partners, do they want to strengthen the hands of foreign forces by demeaning India? He should answer and apologise to our scientists and pharmaceutical companies," he further addressing the IIT Madras Alumni Association's Sangam 2025 event here, he added that Siddaramaiah does not take pride in India's success or its startups and scientists. Instead, he is "ashamed of India and its startups achieving such remarkable success."He credited Bharat Biotech for developing India's first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin , and Oxford-AstraZeneca for granting rights to produce Covishield at Pune-based Serum Institute of India "We were not only able to provide 2.5 billion vaccines free of charge to all our citizens, but also supplied vaccines to over 100 nations, particularly less developed or developing countries that otherwise had no protection against this disease," he pointed out that even today, India is being thanked for the medicines and vaccines it provided to other nations during the pandemic."They (Congress) want to run down India's success stories, and it pains us when we hear this kind of negativity coming from certain sections of society," he the Congress nor Siddaramaiah has responded to Goyal's claims so far.
NDTV
03-07-2025
- Health
- NDTV
No Clear Link Between Covid Vaccine And Sudden Cardiac Arrest Deaths: Delhi AIIMS
New Delhi: A day after the Indian Council of Medical Research debunked claims of the Corona vaccine being responsible for the rising death cases among the youth, a panel of expert doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences addressed the issue. According to Associate Professor Dr Karan Madan, Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, AIIMS Delhi, a study was conducted on sudden cardiac arrests to review the COVID-19 vaccines used so far, following which "no clear association was found with sudden cardiac deaths." Dr Madan mentioned that COVID vaccines were effective and they played a crucial role in reducing the mortality of the Coronavirus. He stated that during any pandemic, vaccines are the only possible measures to save lives and the benefits provided by them are immense. "COVID vaccines were effective vaccines and they played a crucial role in reducing the mortality. During the pandemic, vaccines are the only possible measure to save lives. Vaccines were used on a large number of people, and they provided a lot of benefits in preventing excess mortality. The benefits provided by the vaccines are immense. A study was done on sudden cardiac deaths to review the vaccines used so far, but no clear association was found with sudden cardiac deaths", Dr Karan Madan said during the press briefing. Meanwhile, another expert doctor from the panel, Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine, informed that the efficacy of the Covishield vaccine is 62.1. He noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) approved 12 vaccines out of which the majority were made from different technologies. He mentioned that Covishield uses a vector that is an "adenovirus". Dr Rai asserted that more than 13 billion doses have already been administered worldwide. There are countries like the US, which have just completed the fourth dose. "The Covishield vaccine efficacy was there are 37 vaccines already approved by various regulatory authorities. The WHO has approved around 12 vaccines, and the majority of these vaccines are based on different technologies. If you see Covaxin, it's an old uses a vector that is an other vaccine, Sputnik, almost the same than 13 billion doses have already been administered all over the world. There are countries like, the US, they have just completed fourth dose. The WHO is also recommending that everybody six months and above must get vaccine with the newer variant", Dr Rai said.
