ICER 2023: Circular targets remain out of reach The Netherlands aims to have a fully circular economy by 2050 and halve its use of raw materials by 2030. In recent years, however, little progress has been made in either regard.
Vaccination coverage for autumn round: Downward trend in Health & Welfare sector continues – 69% of nationwide medical high-risk groups were vaccinated At the start of the autumn round, from mid-September 2022, the first group to be offered a repeat vaccination against COVID-19 was people with an elevated risk of a severe course of illness and care workers who have contact with patients and/or clients
Circular economy: plastics recycling from end-of-life vehicles could be four times higher At present, 85% of plastics from end-of-life vehicles is still incinerated. Only 15% of plastics is reused as a raw material. A survey conducted by RIVM has revealed possibilities to expand recovery of these plastics fourfold by 2030.
COVID-19 vaccination figures more up-to-date due to optimised monitoring RIVM has been publishing national and regional figures on COVID-19 vaccination in the Netherlands every week since 19 January 2021.
From 1 June 2022, heel prick test also screens for muscle disease SMA, bringing number of screened diseases to 26 From 1 June 2022, the heel prick test for Dutch newborns will also screen for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). SMA is a serious hereditary muscle condition. Detecting this disease at an early stage enables early treatment.
Tailor-made information will help immigrants make decisions on taking part in screening programmes Immigrants are relatively less likely to take part in preventive screening programmes, such as cancer screening. This is partly due to the language barrier and a lack of knowledge, according to a doctoral thesis by Nora Hamdiui.
Home vaccination starts next week for people unable to travel Starting next week, eligible people who are not mobile enough to come to a vaccination site will be vaccinated at home. The GP will vaccinate them using the AstraZeneca vaccine. The vaccines will be delivered in phases per province.
Method for safe and sustainable recycling of waste The method developed by RIVM to assess whether waste treatment is sufficiently safe and sustainable, can contribute to the European ambitions for a safe and more circular economy.
Vaccination with AstraZeneca vaccine will start again The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) has decided to resume vaccinating with the COVID-19 vaccine made by AstraZeneca within the near future.
Effects of COVID-19 vaccination increasingly visible among nursing home residents The downward trend in infections among nursing home residents in the Netherlands is continuing.