COVID-19 vaccination: invitations being sent to risk groups From 27 August 2024 on, the first people will receive an invitation for COVID-19 vaccination. RIVM will send the invitations to people aged 60 years and older.
New COVID-19 vaccination round for risk groups this autumn The new COVID-19 vaccination round will start on 16 September 2024. For people who are at higher risk, the COVID-19 vaccination offers more effective protection against hospital admission or death due to COVID-19.
New research portal for people with post-COVID Starting today, people with post-COVID can sign up to take part in scientific research. They can register through the national portal at postcovidonderzoek.nl, which is part of the Post-COVID Network Netherlands.
Well-being should be considered from the start when formulating policy during pandemic, health emergency or other crisis Monitoring well-being from the outset and throughout the duration of a pandemic, health emergency or other crisis provides helpful input in making policy choices.
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.
In 2023 more Dutch people play sports on a weekly basis In 2023, 56% of the Dutch population aged four and over played sports at least once a week. This figure marks an increase from 53% in 2022. Notably, the percentage of individuals with physical disabilities who played sports weekly saw a significant rise, from 23% to 29%.
Obesity rate tripled over past 40 years In 2023, 16% of people in the Netherlands aged 20 and over were classified as obese (with a Body Mass Index (BMI(Body Mass Index)) of 30 or above) – more than three times as much as in 1981, the first year of record.
Pneumonia increase likely caused by multiple viruses and bacteria More patients with pneumonia visited their GP from August 2023 on than in previous years. The rise in cases of pneumonia among children, adolescents and young adults aged 5–25 years is particularly notable.