The PIENTER study examines the protection of the Dutch population against infectious diseases for which people have long been vaccinated, such as measles and influenza. It also studies the protection against infectious diseases that are new to the Netherlands, such as the corona or West-Nile fever. In the new round of PIENTER, RIVM also examines the influence of living environment and lifestyle on health. This round starts in 2026. You can read more about this round on the page about PIENTER 4. 

Different rounds of the PIENTER study 

The PIENTER study has existed since 1996 and is repeated every 10 years. There have been 3 previous rounds of PIENTER. Since 2016-2017, PIENTER is also conducted on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba as the Health Study Caribbean Netherlands. In 2026, the fourth round of PIENTER starts: PIENTER 4.

How does the PIENTER study work?

Thousands of people of all ages from all over the Netherlands, including the Caribbean Netherlands, participate in the PIENTER study. PIENTER participants complete a questionnaire and give samples of bodily material such as blood and saliva. The bodily materials are used, among other things, to look for antibodies and immune cells against infectious diseases. 

PIENTER-Corona 

During the coronavirus pandemic, an additional PIENTER study was set up: PIENTER-Corona. This allowed RIVM to map the spread of the coronavirus, and examine the effect of the coronavirus vaccinations. PIENTER-Corona ran from 2020 to 2024. In thirteen study rounds, bodily materials and data from thousands of Dutch people were collected and studied. 

Learn more about previous rounds of PIENTER

Why is the PIENTER study important?

Every day, people come into contact with infectious diseases. Some infectious diseases may cause people to become (severely) ill. Vaccinations are available for a number of serious infectious diseases. In the PIENTER study, we look at how many people have come into contact with an infectious disease and what the risk factors are. We are also studying how well vaccines protect against infectious diseases. Because the PIENTER study is carried out every 10 years, we can also look at changes over the years. 

In addition to infectious diseases, environmental and lifestyle factors can also affect a person's health. That is why, in the new round of PIENTER, we are also investigating the influence of the living environment and lifestyle on health.

Results of the PIENTER study 

The results of the previous rounds of PIENTER have made an important contribution to public health. For example, by:

• Evaluating and monitoring vaccination programmes so that they can be adapted to further protect children and adults against diseases for which vaccination is available. 
• In the event of outbreaks of infectious diseases, identifying groups with less effective immune systems and studying the impact of measures. 
• Studying other and emerging infectious diseases to understand how often they occur and which groups are at greater risk. 

Read more about the previous rounds and results of PIENTER.

Who will conduct the PIENTER study?  

The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) conducts the PIENTER study on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). Researchers from other institutes may also conduct research with the PIENTER data.