3% of adults reported having persistent symptoms after COVID-19, and one-third of those work fewer hours or no longer work at all. This is evidenced by the latest quarterly update from June 2024. The results of this study are part of Health Research for COVID-19. The Network for Health Research in Disasters (GOR Network) publishes an update on this page every six months, summarising key results about adults from survey research and data from primary care providers. The results on research about young people are published quarterly. The aim of this study is to provide information to the municipalities, the provinces and the national government of the Netherlands to assist them in formulating policies to facilitate better pandemic preparedness and to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Latest update: 25 October 2024

A vaccine cannot be used until it has been approved. The safety, efficacy and quality of medicinal products – including vaccines – in Europe is assessed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and in the Netherlands also by the Medicines Evaluation Board (CBG-MEB). Vaccines are subject to strict standards for safety and side effects. Even after vaccines are approved, they are monitored by the EMA and CBG-MEB to assess how well they work and identify possible side effects.

In June 2024, 3% of young people still reported having persistent symptoms after COVID-19. Nearly half of them are unable to participate fully in secondary school or further education as a result. These findings are from the latest quarterly survey. The results of this study are part of Health Research for COVID-19.

A gastric balloon is a medical device that is placed in the stomach for a longer period of time (4-12 months). Gastric balloons are used for people with obesity who have not achieved sufficient weight loss through dietary changes or medication.  A gastric balloon takes up space in the stomach, leaving less room for food and making the patient feel satiated sooner when eating. This causes the patient to eat less and lose weight. There are risks associated with the use of gastric balloons. RIVM has studied whether scientific research identified risks that are not currently stated on the instructions for use. This is not the case.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more people have been dying per year than expected. This is called excess mortality. There are people who have questions about this. Some people are wondering whether the excess mortality might be a consequence of the COVID-19 vaccinations. RIVM is constantly researching the effects of vaccination. These kinds of studies are complex; the research methods and variations in results are often difficult to explain in ways that everyone understands. This page presents answers to frequently asked questions about excess mortality and the COVID-19 vaccinations.

Some people keep having symptoms for a long time after having COVID-19. If their symptoms persist for longer than 3 months, it is called post-COVID. Not much information is available about post-COVID yet. That is why it is being researched extensively.

This page contains current information on mpox in the Netherlands and the situation in Africa.