RIVM prepares a recommended list of banned substances in tobacco products and e-cigarettes The goal of the European Tobacco Products Directive is to make tobacco products and e-cigarettes less harmful, addictive and attractive. The directive does not specifically state which substances are not allowed in tobacco products and e-cigarettes.
European air quality limit values can be met if proposed policy measures are implemented In 2022, the European Commission introduced a proposal for stricter air quality standards. With existing policy measures, the air quality in most of the Netherlands will meet these requirements by 2030.
Quick action needed to prevent drinking water shortage in 2030 The demand for drinking water will increase until at least 2030. The supply is under strain due to climate change and pollution. There are already regional shortages. If measures are not taken, shortages will occur throughout the Netherlands in 2030.
At least 87% of people over 65 vaccinated at least once: high turnout, few regional differences Four months after the launch of the vaccination campaign, at least 87% of people over 65 in the Netherlands have been vaccinated against COVID-19 at least once.
Quality assessment of SARS-CoV-2 antigen test diagnostics: good performance at public test sites in the Netherlands In their role as WHO reference laboratories, RIVM and Erasmus UMC conducted a study on the quality of SARS-CoV-2 antigen diagnostics in the Netherlands.
Long-term symptoms more common after Lyme disease More than a quarter of people with Lyme disease continue to have long-term symptoms that lead to limitations in daily life even after treatment.
RIVM updates guidelines for AstraZeneca interval As of 21 May, RIVM updated the guidelines for the interval between two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The interval can now be between 6 and 14 weeks.
Social well-being is improving, compliance with coronavirus measures remains important With the recent easing of the coronavirus measures, social contact and well-being are improving again. Compliance with most measures remains stable for now (such as getting tested by the GGD and avoiding crowds) or is decreasing very gradually.
Breast cancer screening resumes on Bonaire after COVID-19 hiatus Women aged 50 to 75 years on Bonaire can participate in the breast cancer screening programme again as of Wednesday, May 26, 2021. This was temporarily halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Downward trend remains steady In the past calendar week, there were 32% fewer hospital admissions of patients with COVID-19 compared to the week before. New arrivals in the ICU were also down by 23% compared to the previous week.