European prize for mobile vaccination units The Netherlands’ mobile vaccination units (prikbussen) have been selected as a best-practice method for the European project ‘Overcoming Obstacles to Vaccination’.
Number of reported illnesses related to food consumption increases each year In 2022, there were 1,165 reported outbreaks of food-related infections. An outbreak means that two or more people become ill after consuming the same food. A total of 4,470 people became ill.
New study confirms: people in the Netherlands ingest too much PFAS People in the Netherlands are ingesting too much levels of PFAS through food and drinking water. New research by RIVM confirms this. However, the total quantity of PFAS is lower than previously calculated.
Self-sampling device to be sent automatically, making it easier to take part in cervical cancer screening From the first week of July, every woman turning 30 will receive a self-sampling device with their invitation for cervical cancer screening. Participants can use this device to collect their own vaginal material.
Concerns over falling vaccination coverage within National Immunisation Programme The percentage of children vaccinated within the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) has fallen for the second year in a row, according to the 2022 report ‘Vaccination Coverage and Annual Report of the Dutch National Immunisation Programme'. RIVM is concerned about this decline.
Number of participants in Combined Lifestyle Intervention tops 73,000 By the end of 2022, the number of participants in the Combined Lifestyle Intervention (CLI) had grown to over 73,000. This is according to a semi-annual report by RIVM. The figure represents a 51% increase since the end of May 2022. The number of participants was around 48,000 at that time.
Exposure to combination of chemicals appears to be too high, health risks unclear The food and drinking water that people consume include chemicals that have effects on health. Among them are substances, such as lead, which are known to have a negative effect on intelligence or development of the brain.
Provisional figures on participation in the National Immunisation Programme According to RIVM’s registration system, at least 90% of babies have been vaccinated against mumps, measles and rubella (MMR).
National Immunisation Programme: new decline in number of reported cases of disease in 2021 In 2021, fewer people contracted diseases for which vaccines are offered under the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) than before the coronavirus pandemic. This is very likely largely due to the impact of the coronavirus measures, such as social distancing and hand washing.
Sustained avian flu outbreak is the most remarkable outbreak in 2021 discussed in Zoonoses Report The outbreak of the H5N1 variant of avian flu was the most remarkable outbreak in 2021. In October of that year, the Netherlands experienced the start of the biggest outbreak of avian flu since 2003.