In recent years, outbreaks and a rising incidence of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis have occurred in Asia, particularly in older children. A systematic search of MEDLINE and Embase was conducted from January 2000 to October 2020 to identify the epidemiology of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis in children and adolescents (aged 3-18 years) in Asia. The results were then related to vaccination schedules, booster coverage rates, pertussis source of infection, and booster immunogenicity, as identified by a pragmatic review. The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) registration: #CRD42020222445. A total of 35 studies were included in this review. Limited data were reported on the epidemiology of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis. Data from studies reporting the incidence of diphtheria and pertussis exemplify the shift in epidemiology to older children/adolescents. Seroprevalence data suggest that immunity to pertussis and diphtheria is below the level of herd immunity in several Asian countries in this population. The true burden of diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus in children aged 3-18 years in Asia is unknown because of weak or absent nationwide surveillance systems. The available evidence highlights the inadequacies in immunity, either by gaps in a recommendation or suboptimal booster coverage, supporting the public health need for booster vaccinations in this population.

In the last two decades, outbreaks due to the foodborne hepatitis A virus (HAV) have been frequently reported in India, with adolescents and adults primarily affected. In India, most food handlers are adolescents and young adults who might be exposed to unsatisfactory environmental conditions and poor water quality. This increases the risk of HAV infection and consequently compounds the risk of HAV transmission from food handlers to susceptible populations. Given the shift in hepatitis A endemicity from high to intermediate levels in India, implementing the vaccination of food handlers has become important as it can also contribute to the elimination of hepatitis A in India. This narrative review makes a case for hepatitis A immunization of food handlers in India considering the growing food industry, evolving food culture, and the substantial burden caused by hepatitis A outbreaks. What is the context? What is new? What is the impact?

Objective: Aim of this study was to investigate the combined and comparative training outcomes of plyometrics and dynamic stretching of lower limb muscle groups on vertical jump performance in male and female collegiate volleyball players. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out as two training sessions in a week, for eight weeks duration. The total number of participants was 90 male and 90 female collegiate volleyball players aged 18-22 years. All the participants were recreational players and they were playing one hour daily in the evening. They were randomly distributed into three male groups (Group 1, Group 2 & Group 3) and three female groups (Group 4, Group 5 & Group 6) with 30 participants in each group. All the participants underwent Sargent vertical jump performance test before starting the training session it was repeated in every two weeks of training program. Results: Plyometrics and plyometrics with dynamic stretching led to significant improvements in vertical jump height (VJH), and this improvement was progressed after every two weeks of training. However, the control groups did not display any improvement. The effect of training was significantly higher in male and female groups who have performed plyometrics with lower limbs dynamic stretching as compared with the groups that performed only plyometric exercises (p<0.05). Compared to females, male participants had a better improvement of VJH in both training groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that two sessions of plyometric exercise training per week for eight weeks can improve the ability of VJH in male and female collegiate volleyball players. However, combined training of lower body plyometrics and lower limbs dynamic stretching had better results in terms of vertical jump performance.