Researchers from the Netherlands are involved in a European project which aims to prepare Europe for a COVID-19 vaccine. The ACCESS project (Vaccine Covid-19 monitoring ReadinESS) is a feasibility study to prepare for monitoring the safety and effectiveness of the novel coronavirus vaccines when they become available on the market.

The coronavirus has the Netherlands in its grips. To gain insight into how people view the imposed coronavirus measures in the Netherlands, their motivation in adhering to the measures, and what the impact is on their daily lives, RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment   and GGD GHOR (the Netherlands Municipal Public Health Services and Medical Assistance in Accidents and Disasters) are conducting a large-scale study on this topic. The study explores human behaviour, what people think of the government’s behavioural measures, and how they are doing physically, mentally and socially in these corona times.

Research into vaccines to protect  against the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is being carried out  all over the world. If a vaccine becomes available in the future, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport will ask the Health Council of the Netherlands and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) for advice on choosing the vaccine that will be used in the Netherlands. RIVM coordinates the control of infectious diseases in the Netherlands.

The coronavirus has the Netherlands in its grips. To gain insight into how people view the imposed coronavirus measures in the Netherlands, their motivation in adhering to the measures, and what the impact is on their daily lives, RIVM  and GGD GHOR (the Netherlands Municipal Public Health Services and Medical Assistance in Accidents and Disasters) are conducting a large-scale study on this topic. The study explores human behaviour, what people think of the government’s behavioural measures, and how they are doing physically, mentally and socially in these corona times.

Since mid-March 2020, various behavioural rules have been in force in the Netherlands aimed at reducing the number of contacts with others (e.g. maintaining a distance of 1.5 metres). The rules are also intended to help ensure that the coronavirus is not transmitted during contact with others (hygiene measures). If people believe that these behavioural rules will help to prevent infection (their own or others), this may help motivate them to follow the rules. However, the current situation also demands a great deal from people: these rules limit our freedom and our possibilities. This could have an impact on our mental, physical and social health – and on expectations for how long people will support the measures. These insights help the government to provide better support and information to citizens, so they will continue to comply with the behavioural rules.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by the novel coronavirus: SARS-CoV-2. How is the novel coronavirus spreading and what can you do to prevent it from spreading?

RIVM is conducting research on the novel coronavirus that includes the use of models. When the studies are completed, the results are published. RIVM publishes about the research studies in international peer-reviewed journals. This leads to open access publications: publications that are accessible to everyone. The codes and data we use are also public. These are the models and publications that are related to these research activities.

It is often referred to as ‘corona’, but officially the disease is called COVID-19. The disease is caused by a novel (new) coronavirus: SARS-CoV-2. The symptoms can be similar to the common cold. The disease can cause severe pneumonia, and some people may die of it.

The novel coronavirus is the virus that can cause the disease known as COVID-19. The virus is spread through human-to-human transmission. Coughing and sneezing spreads small droplets. Someone else can breathe them in and become infected. The droplets can also be transmitted through hand contact, for example if someone touches their nose or face and then shakes hands.