New crisis response organisation at RIVM to control future pandemics The cabinet has agreed to the proposal of Ernst Kuipers, Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, to set up a National Functionality for Infectious Disease Control (LFI).
Flu vaccination also available for pregnant women as of this autumn Every year, people aged 60+ and people with certain medical conditions can get the free flu vaccination. On the recommendation of the Health Council of the Netherlands, the free flu vaccination will now also be made available to pregnant women.
Risk assessment method for gene drives RIVM and partner organisations from England, Germany and Belgium have developed a method to assess the risks of gene drives in laboratories.
Dutch health similar to health in neighbouring countries The health of the Dutch population is broadly in line with that of our neighbours.
Director-general André van der Zande receives Royal honours On Thursday, June 28th, our departing director-general André van der Zande received a Royal decoration from the Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, Hugo de Jonge.
Antibiotics are often used correctly, but improvements are still possible General practitioners in the Netherlands are prescribing antibiotics less frequently. No drop has been observed in hospitals.
Frequently used cancer medicines do not harm plants and animals in water Most cytostatics (medication for chemotherapy), tumor specific immunotherapy and hormone therapy don’t harm plants and animals in surface water.
Vaccination rate again drops slightly, HPV vaccination rate drops considerably The vaccination rate for vaccines included in the National Immunisation Programme has dropped slightly by about 1 percent.
More people are tested for STIs The number of people who have been tested for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) went up in 2017. This is the case both at the Sexual Health Centres and at the General Practitioner.
Our future Public Health: ageing healthily, but also major future challenges The prospects for future public health in the Netherlands are good. Our life expectancy is steadily increasing, and most people feel healthy and do not experience activity limitations.