Health technology assessment of varicella vaccine in the Armed Forces.

Background: The Indian Armed Forces, on entry, vaccinates all cadets and recruits with varicella vaccine for the prevention of varicella. This health technology assessment (HTA) report puts forth evidence for HTA of varicella vaccination in the Armed Forces in various domains namely clinical, societal, ethical, economic, and legal.

Methods: The policy question under each domain has been developed according to best-practice methods for HTA.

Susceptibility of cadets and recruits to chickenpox: A seroprevalence study.

Background: Regular outbreaks of chickenpox are reported among cadets and recruits in the army undergoing training, resulting in morbidity and loss in terms of training days. Vaccination policy in the army mandates that all cadets and recruits be vaccinated against chickenpox on joining the training centers. However, 100% vaccination of trainees is not achieved.

COVISHIELD (AZD1222) VaccINe effectiveness among healthcare and frontline Workers of INdian Armed Forces: Interim results of VIN-WIN cohort study.

Background: On 16 Jan 2021, India launched its immunization program against COVID-19. Among the first recipients were 1.59 million Health Care Workers (HCWs) and Frontline Workers (FLWs) of the Indian Armed Forces, who were administered COVISHIELD (Astra Zeneca).

Outbreak control of community acquired pneumonia in a large military training institution.

Background: Between 09 Jan 2011 to 25 Mar 2011 an outbreak of respiratory illness was reported from a Military Training institution. 52 cases of respiratory tract infection were admitted from this institution. All the cases were trainees between 18 and 21 years of age.

A Laboratory Investigation into Oviposition Responses of Aedes aegypti to Some Common Household Substances and Water from Conspecific Larvae.

Background: The surveillance of Dengue vector - Aedes aegypti, is routinely done by using ovitraps (a dark container filled with water and a wooden paddle/towel cloth provided as a oviposition substrate), which indicates the extent of Aedes activity in an area.

Method: The study evaluated the oviposition responses of laboratory bred gravid Aedes aegypti to commonly available household substances by use of ovitrap method.

Results: Oviposition avoidance or deterrence was exhibited by gravid Aedes to ovitraps baited with salt, fenugreek, vinegar, lime juice, hibiscus leaves, radish and curry leaves, whereas positive oviposition response was noticed to waters from conspecific (of the same species) larvae and cumin seeds baited ovitraps.