Most children in the Netherlands take part in the National Immunisation Programme. Participation is high enough that fewer people become seriously ill or die from infectious diseases. But the participation rate (or vaccination coverage) does not always stay steady at that high level. It is higher in some groups than in others. If fewer people are vaccinated, then the Netherlands will see more people becoming ill, and more outbreaks of the diseases that we vaccinate against.

The Toolkit for Pandemic Preparedness and Behaviour offers concrete and practical products regarding behaviour and well-being that can be used to support or research behaviour and well-being during a possible future pandemic or some other health crisis. The products are intended for professionals working in the fields of policy, practical application or research. The products described in the toolkit come from RIVM and from other organisations. The products are grouped into three categories:

In late March 2020, RIVM founded the Corona Behavioural Unit. The Netherlands had entered the first phase of the pandemic and a lockdown seemed inevitable. There was a growing awareness that behavioural change was an important key to limiting the spread of the virus. However, expertise from the behavioural sciences had not yet been incorporated into the national crisis structure.  

The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated behavioural measures and recommendations that were implemented had an impact on the day-to-day lives of people, and therefore affected their well-being. Well-being is also relevant for the ability to maintain measures over a longer time period. 

Trust in COVID-19 policy is key in effectively controlling the pandemic. Public trust is strongly dependent on whether citizens perceive policies and measures as fair and just. In turn, that is relevant to public support for policy and for compliance with the measures (RIVM, 2021. Memo on Public support and trust: the importance of perceived fairness and justice (only in Dutch) 

What factors affected participation in COVID-19 vaccination and what sentiments and considerations did people in the Netherlands have in choosing to receive a vaccination? RIVM conducted various studies on willingness to vaccinate. This information enables the government to communicate effectively about the vaccination campaign and allows citizens to make an informed choice. 

During the pandemic, various behavioural measures and recommendations were implemented to curb the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The RIVM Behavioural Unit researched people’s thoughts about the coronavirus measures, what motivated them to comply, and what the impact of those measures was. Part of that research is still active, even after the final coronavirus measures were discontinued in March 2023. The ongoing research focuses on people’s thoughts about the general recommendations to control respiratory infections. This includes washing hands and staying home if you are ill. The unit is also researching willingness to vaccinate.