Nearly every day there is a report of a young, fit individual, usually a man, who suffers unexplained sudden death now termed “sudden adult death syndrome.” Because COVID-19 vaccination is highly prevalent and linked to the development of heart inflammation and myocarditis, it is a conservative and reasonable conclusion that unless otherwise ruled out, sudden adult death syndrome is a consequence of myocarditis. The differential diagnosis could include other vaccine related serious adverse events including fatal pulmonary embolism, multisystem inflammatory disorder, and vaccine induced thrombocytopenic purpura. Unlike sudden death, most of the other conditions give patients and doctors a chance at making a diagnosis, hospitalization, and treatment. Because half or more of COVID-19 vaccine induced myocarditis is asymptomatic,[i] the first manifestation can be collapse due to an abnormal heart rhythm and unless promptly resuscitated, the pathway to death is rapid and final.
With > 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts on the topic, there are some emerging patterns: 1) deaths do not occur randomly across vaccine manufacturing lots but rather tend to occur in “hot lots”[ii] that may be a proxy for more viable mRNA or adenoviral DNA delivery and greater Spike protein deposition in the heart, 2) genetic predisposition has been reported by Ittiwut et al (SCN5A mutation),[iii] and almost certainly more risk alleles will be discovered, 3) acute presentations within 30 days of the first and second injections if detected are usually hospitalized and undergo testing with cardiac MRI being conclusive, 4) if diagnosed there is an opportunity for rest, therapy, and risk stratification for implantation of a defibrillator.
For those of you who know someone in your circles who has died unexpectedly since the advent of COVID-19 vaccination, encourage the surviving family members to reassure the world publicly if they were unvaccinated. If families, school, and employers remain shamefully silent, assume the cause of death is attributable to the vaccine. This is a safe and reasonable inference since COVID-19 vaccine induced myocarditis is a proven cause of death in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.[iv] [v] Fatal myocarditis should be sobering for those who encouraged and pressured victims into vaccination including doctors, family, school, employers, military, and others. They should reflect upon their actions that resulted in the loss of life, and carry on in self-reproach, seeking forgiveness. On a practical basis, life insurance companies will need to rely upon a working diagnosis and cause of death to re-calculate actuarial risk groups and post-vaccine premium rates. Finally, for the rest to remain alive without heart damage or risk of sudden adult death syndrome, the current products must be recognized as a public health threat, recalled from global markets, and discarded—all of them.
[i] Mansanguan S, Charunwatthana P, Piyaphanee W, Dechkhajorn W, Poolcharoen A, Mansanguan C. Cardiovascular Manifestation of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Adolescents. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2022 Aug 19;7(8):196. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed7080196. PMID: 36006288; PMCID: PMC9414075.
[ii] Latypova S. “Hot Lots” of Covid-19 Vaccines - Evidence of Different Formulations? TrialSite News, Jul. 16, 2022
[iii] Ittiwut C, Mahasirimongkol S, Srisont S, Ittiwut R, Chockjamsai M, Durongkadech P, Sawaengdee W, Khunphon A, Larpadisorn K, Wattanapokayakit S, Wetchaphanphesat S, Arunotong S, Srimahachota S, Pittayawonganon C, Thammawijaya P, Sutdan D, Doungngern P, Khongphatthanayothin A, Kerr SJ, Shotelersuk V. Genetic basis of sudden death after COVID-19 vaccination in Thailand. Heart Rhythm. 2022 Aug 5:S1547-5271(22)02266-4. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2022.07.019. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35934244; PMCID: PMC9352648.
[iv] Choi S, Lee S, Seo JW, Kim MJ, Jeon YH, Park JH, Lee JK, Yeo NS. Myocarditis-induced Sudden Death after BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination in Korea: Case Report Focusing on Histopathological Findings. J Korean Med Sci. 2021 Oct 18;36(40):e286. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e286. PMID: 34664804; PMCID: PMC8524235.
[v] Gill JR, Tashjian R, Duncanson E. Autopsy Histopathologic Cardiac Findings in 2 Adolescents Following the Second COVID-19 Vaccine Dose. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2022 Aug 1;146(8):925-929. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2021-0435-SA. PMID: 35157759.
Thank you Dr. McCullough for staying on this. I think you were right to encourage parents to come out if child was vaccinated or not. It has to be so painful. Can there be an anonymous report site for parents afraid to speak up if their child vaccinated or not?
I will speak up to friends and share your data when they share their young man is getting a booster. Do we know the time frame for when these young men die after getting vaccine?
Dr McCullough, do you recommend cardiology exams for healthy young men who have taken the Covid shots? If so, how does one find a cardiologist who will do the exam? Do any followers know of a cardiologist in VA who does this? My son is 24 years old, amazingly fit and training for a marathon that he will run in November. Shots in summer of 2021, and a weird internal blockage issue in October 21 that I wondered if it was caused by a blood clot from the covid shots.