Introduction: Before the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID- 19) vaccines were developed, there was an intense search for preventive measures and effective treatments of COVID-19, which has led to a recommendation of influenza vaccination as a preventive measure against COVID-19. As of August 2022, there are still many countries where percentage of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination is ≤20%. In such a scenario it becomes pertinent for a continuous search of other preventive measures such as significance of flu vaccination against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Aim: To explore any relation between the flu vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Materials and Methods: A retrospective case control study was undertaken through questionnaire-based survey with 200 cases who had taken flu vaccination within one year of COVID-19 testing and 800 as controls. All candidates were consecutively enrolled in this study and informed consent was obtained. Results: Most common age group among vaccinated candidates was 31-40 years. Among 200 individuals of cases group, 3 (1.5%) were positive for COVID-19 and 197 (98.5%) were negative. Among 3 positive individuals in cases only one required hospitalisation. Among 800 control group, 38 (4.7%) were positive and 762 (95.2%) were negative for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Rate of positivity was 2.3% less among vaccinated group in comparison to non vaccinated group. Conclusion: In this study it was observed that individuals who had received the flu vaccine there was a significant reduction in odds of testing positive for COVID-19 compared to those who did not received the vaccine.

Introduction: Biomedical waste (BMW) generated is a matter of great concern as it consists of high levels of hazardous waste. The lack of segregation and disposal policy in India leads to use of such infectious waste in day-to-day life [1]. Lack of awareness about segregation of Biomedical Waste (BMW) at source is a major cause for Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) and increased risk of contamination of hospital and external environment. Materials & Methods: To address the problem, we decided to train interns and health care workers to increase their awareness about BMW segregation and thereby reduce HAI. The program was run in 3 phases. In the 1st phase need assessment was done as to how important and effective this program would be in controlling HAI. The 2nd phase comprised of identifying the stake holders in the program who will play the key role in implementing the program effectively. The 3rd phase of Biomedical Segregation Program BMWSP focused on the outcomes as enumerated in the Kirkpatrick model [2], viz., participants’ reaction, learning, change in behavior  and results. Measuring the impact of the program on the learners at these four levels revealed the effectiveness of the program. Results: To overcome the shortfalls in the Kirkpatrick model we used Logic model which took care of the instructional design. Logic model is better suitable for evaluating BMWSP as it considers inter-relation between constituents in a sequence and their effect on the process as well as product providing the necessary roadmap from the planned work (inputs and activities) to the intended results (outputs, outcomes and impact). It is a sequence of events connecting each other starting with Resources / Inputs, Activities, Outputs, Outcomes and Impact. The model helped medical interns and dental students to understand the importance for BMWSP and also made a significant difference in its implementation. Conclusion: The program helped in making the health care staff more aware about BMWSP. It also increased their knowledge, and helped in implementation of the program. This will significantly reduce HAI and overall benefit the society.