If there’s one fear that has spread rapidly in India since the COVID pandemic, it’s the alleged link between COVID vaccines and heart attacks. Viral messages on social media, videos filled with incomplete information, heated debates in TV studios, and some irresponsible statements have created the perception that vaccines like Covishield and Covaxin are causing sudden heart attacks in young people. This fear has become so profound that many have even started calling vaccines “slow poison.” But the real question is: is this fear based on scientific facts, or is it merely a long series of rumours and misconceptions?
In recent months, questions were raised linking 22 sudden deaths in Karnataka’s Hassan district to COVID vaccines, further fuelling this debate. Following this, claims began spreading rapidly on social media that young people were dying due to “wrong injections.” However, after a detailed investigation, an expert committee formed by the state government clearly concluded that no direct causal link was found between these deaths and COVID vaccines. This conclusion is not limited to a single committee, but is also confirmed by studies conducted by the country’s top health institutions.
Numerous independent studies conducted by the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Union Health Ministry, and the Serum Institute of India have repeatedly demonstrated the safety of COVID-19 vaccines used in India. A multi-centre study conducted by the ICMR across 47 major hospitals in 19 states analysed the causes of sudden deaths. The results were clear—in approximately 85 percent of cases, the cause of death was pre-existing coronary artery disease, characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits (plaque) in the arteries. In the remaining cases, genetic factors, unhealthy lifestyles, excessive mental stress, obesity, smoking, and the aftereffects of COVID-19 infection were found to be responsible. No direct or conclusive link to the vaccines was found.
It’s true that AstraZeneca admitted in court that its vaccine could cause an extremely rare condition—a syndrome characterized by blood clots and low platelets. But this condition was observed in only a handful of cases out of millions, and only in the first few weeks after vaccination. Medically, this condition and heart attack are two distinct disease processes. To equate the two is not only scientifically incorrect but also misleading to the public.
The reality is that COVID infection itself proved far more dangerous for the heart. According to the World Health Organization and studies conducted in several countries, including India, a person infected with COVID had a two- to three-fold increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. The virus causes widespread inflammation in the body, which can seriously damage the heart muscle and blood vessels. The first and second waves saw numerous cases of relatively young and previously healthy individuals experiencing serious heart problems. In this context, vaccines played a protective role in reducing the risk.
The question then arises: why are sudden deaths and heart attacks appearing to increase after the pandemic? Experts’ answer is relatively clear—changed lifestyles following the pandemic. During the long lockdown, physical activity decreased significantly, weight gain increased, mental stress and depression increased, sleep cycles were disrupted, and junk food consumption increased. Furthermore, long-term inflammation, fatigue, and respiratory problems after COVID infection also increase heart risk. Instead of seriously discussing these complex and real causes, it’s easier to blame vaccines, but this is far from the scientific truth.
This debate isn’t limited to health, but is also deeply connected to democracy and social responsibility. When rumours spread, vaccine hesitancy increases. If a new pandemic were to emerge in the future and people distrusted vaccines, the consequences could be even more devastating. History bears witness to the decisive role vaccines have played in humanity’s fight against diseases like polio, smallpox, and measles. COVID vaccines are an important part of that scientific tradition.
Unfortunately, some media platforms and social media influencers casually used phrases like “vaccine kills” for TRP and popularity. Half-baked facts were sensationalized, while full scientific reports were rarely discussed. As a result, fear prevailed over reason and rumour over science.
The government and health institutions have a responsibility to actively dispel this confusion. Fact-based findings from institutions like AIIMS and ICMR should not be confined to websites or press releases, but should be disseminated to every village. Training ASHA and Anganwadi workers can create powerful channels for disseminating scientific information, especially in areas where health literacy is low. Political leadership must also exercise restraint—statements without scientific basis undermine public trust and harm health policies.
Calls for “vaccine reversal” or “detox” are completely unscientific. Modern medicine has no theory to prove a vaccine’s effectiveness over time. Instead, what’s needed is a comprehensive heart health campaign—routine early checkups, blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring, a balanced diet, yoga, and regular exercise—making it a mass movement. This is the real path to heart attack prevention.
In today’s digital age, rumours spread at lightning speed, while truth travels relatively slowly. Nevertheless, in the long run, the path of science proves to be the most sustainable. Studies by AIIMS and ICMR unanimously conclude: COVID vaccines are safe and have no direct link to sudden deaths. Vaccines are friends, not enemies.
India has overcome an unprecedented pandemic like COVID through collective efforts. Now, the next challenge is to combat rumours, fear, and conspiracy theories. The most effective “vaccine” to prevent heart attacks is awareness—scientific thinking, accurate information, and responsible communication. By denigrating vaccines, we not only insult science but also endanger our future health. It’s time to trust data, not fear, and embrace medical science over myths.
