The risk of developing long-term symptoms after a SARS-CoV-2 infection has decreased since the pandemic. These findings are from research conducted by RIVM in the VASCO study. Researchers in this study have been monitoring tens of thousands of people in the Netherlands over an extended time period.

People who turn 60 in 2025, or are over 78, will shortly be receiving an invitation for a free pneumococcal vaccine. This is a new vaccine that provides better protection against pneumococcal disease than its predecessor.

An electric vehicle (EV) that is on fire is difficult to extinguish. Among other things, this is because the battery casing is watertight. The ultra high pressure (UHP) extinguishing system appears to be a promising new method of reaching the burning battery. However, RIVM measurements show that with this method, the firefighting water gets heavily contaminated.

It is October, marking the start of the respiratory infection season. In autumn and winter, there is an increase in people who are coughing and sneezing. Various pathogens can cause a respiratory infection.

Today, RIVM published a feasibility study into the temporary extension of the National Programme for Breast Cancer Screening to include an MRI scan for women with very dense breast tissue (density level D). In this study, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, RIVM investigated which scenarios for temporarily including an MRI scan in the population screening programme were feasible and responsible. 

By late winter 2023, 7 to 26 per cent of the Dutch population had vitamin D deficiency. This is the outcome of a study conducted by RIVM. Because the Netherlands has so little sunlight in winter, this is when the so-called vitamin D status (amount of vitamin D in the body) is at its lowest.

Every year, approximately 2% of all people in the Netherlands sustain injuries from falling in the street. Another 2% are injured in cycling accidents. These percentages are higher among people under the age of 25.

As of 1 September 2025, Susan van den Hof is professor by special appointment to the chair of Epidemiology and Surveillance of Infectious Diseases at Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC). She will be holding this chair alongside her role as head of the Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance at the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). The professorship contributes to strengthening epidemiological research on infectious diseases.

Nearly 2 million people are estimated to have fallen ill from a foodborne infection in the Netherlands in 2024 – an increase of more than 100,000 people compared to 2023. These findings are from the new annual report about foodborne infections.

Starting today, babies can get an injection against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The injection protects babies against severe illness resulting from the virus. The RSV antibody injection offers almost immediate protection, lasting about 6 months.