Respiratory Infections Lead to Surge in Millennial Deaths among Chinese Population
Experts suggest that potential reasons for the increase in deaths among millennials this winter season in China may include weakened immunity, vaccination side effects, stress, and other infectious diseases.
Amid ongoing skepticism regarding the Chinese regime’s data on infectious diseases and vaccination-related deaths, reports from residents and healthcare professionals across China hint at an unusual rise in deaths among the younger population during the current winter season.
The National Bureau of Statistics in Beijing does not regularly disclose mortality rate data, leading analysts and the public to rely on anecdotal evidence due to the regime’s history of unreliable data reporting, including underreporting COVID-19 cases in early 2020.
In early March, Chinese residents across several provinces, speaking to The Epoch Times, revealed numerous deaths among individuals born in the 1980s and 1990s. Some suspect that these deaths may be linked to the side effects of COVID-19 vaccination.
Experts interviewed by The Epoch Times also highlighted potential factors contributing to the increased mortality rate among younger individuals, including weakened immunity post-COVID-19, vaccination side effects, stress, and unreported infectious diseases like avian influenza.
A medical doctor from China’s Jiangsu Province, who goes by the alias Zhang Liang, noted a surge in sudden deaths due to heart attacks and cerebral infarctions among individuals in their 30s and 40s post-COVID-19 pandemic.
Zhang mentioned that there are differing opinions on the cause of these deaths, with some attributing them to COVID-19 infections and others suggesting they could be a result of COVID-19 vaccines. However, there are restrictions on openly discussing or collecting data on these deaths.
Zhang noted the deteriorating health conditions post-pandemic, with most people experiencing sub-health and abnormal physical indicators. He mentioned a high prevalence of lung nodules among the population.
Residents from various Chinese cities shared experiences of sudden deaths, severe symptoms, and a rise in respiratory infections, pointing towards a concerning trend of mortality among young and middle-aged individuals.
Experts elaborated on several factors contributing to these deaths, including vaccine-induced heart problems, the impact of China’s one-child policy on familial responsibilities, stress, weakened immunity post-COVID-19, and unreported infectious diseases like avian influenza.

People wearing masks wait at an outpatient area of the respiratory department of a hospital in Beijing on Jan. 8, 2025. Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images
Local residents described a surge in deaths, overcrowded hospitals, and a wave of severe respiratory infections post-Chinese New Year, raising alarm over the increasing mortality rate among younger age groups.
The Chinese regime’s silence on bird flu outbreaks and underreported respiratory diseases adds to the concerns raised by healthcare professionals regarding the actual severity of the situation.
Possible Reasons
Experts highlighted vaccine side effects, weakened immunity from COVID-19, stress, and unreported infectious diseases as potential factors driving the rise in deaths among millennials in China.
The crackdown on a video alleging high mortality rates among the younger generation reflects the government’s efforts to control the narrative and suppress information that contradicts official reports. Despite the crackdown, concerns over the increasing deaths and the underlying causes persist among the population.
Wen Xin, Xiong Bin, and Luo Ya contributed to this report.