Study on the effectiveness of COVID-19 measures in the Netherlands The measures implemented in the Netherlands during the COVID-19 crisis were effective against the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This is the outcome of a study conducted by RIVM.
Approach needed to tackle polluting activities to protect drinking water sources In the Netherlands, we derive our drinking water from two sources: groundwater and river water. In many areas, the quality of this water is not adequate. The measures taken to improve the quality have yet to yield significant direct effects.
Air pollution increases risk of infection and severity of illness from COVID-19 People who live in areas with poor air quality are more likely to become infected with SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, the symptoms of COVID-19 are more severe, leading to more hospitalisations and deaths. This is the outcome of a study conducted by RIVM, Utrecht University, Wageningen University & Research and the Netherlands Municipal Public Health Services and Medical Assistance in Accidents and Disasters.
National cervical cancer screening campaign under way Today sees the kick-off of the national campaign: Let’s talk about cervical cancer – have you #done the smear test or self-test yet? This marks the first time that RIVM, Bevolkingsonderzoek Nederland and the KWF Dutch Cancer Society are launching a joint campaign to call attention to cervical cancer screening.
More than 2.7 million COVID-19 vaccinations administered in the 2023 autumn round In the 2023 autumn round, more than 2,731,000 people in the Netherlands received a COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination coverage for people over 60 is currently 50.5%. Vaccination coverage varies by age group and region. COVID-19 vaccination was available until 22 December 2023.
Booster vaccinations reduced risk of death from COVID-19 in 2022 Booster vaccinations reduced the risk of dying from COVID-19 in 2022. The risk of death from other causes was also lower for people who had a booster jab than for people without a booster jab. These findings are from research by RIVM.
COVID-19 pandemic made me miss out on a key stage of my life, young people claim Young people aged 12–25 feel that the COVID-19 pandemic made them miss out on a key stage of their lives. They have indicated that important milestones, such as graduation ceremonies or the start of student life, passed them by. This is evident from the latest quarterly study conducted by the Network for Health Research in Disasters.
Vulnerable groups hit hardest by COVID-19 pandemic A new RIVM study has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic intensified existing socio-economic differences. People on lower incomes visited test lanes less often during the pandemic, but were admitted to hospital and intensive care with COVID-19 more often.
New Zoonoses Report out now: avian flu most notable outbreak in 2022 Throughout 2022, the Netherlands faced a persistent avian flu outbreak, affecting 76 poultry farms. The virus also infected numerous wild birds and various wild mammals. These findings are presented in the Zoonoses Report, an annual publication issued jointly by RIVM and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
Strong interest among schools in incentive to promote healthy and sustainable eating Schools are highly interested in the promotional incentive of a programme teaching young children to eat healthy from a young age. The incentive is called ‘Let’s go outside for tasty food!’ or Lekker naar buiten! in Dutch. 2,273 schools applied for the funding over a three year period.