On 7 February 2023, a proposal for a European ban on PFAS has been published by ECHA. A ban in this context is also referred to as a restriction. The Netherlands worked on this proposal together with Denmark, Germany, Norway and Sweden.

The most common disease in people of 60 years and older is (severe) pneumonia. Other common pneumococcal diseases are meningitis and blood poisoning. Every year, 8,500 people aged 60 years and older are hospitalized due to pneumococcal disease. Of these, 900 people die.

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.

This page provides information about the flu vaccination and the coronavirus SARS CoV-2 The flu vaccine is the best protection against the consequences of getting the flu (influenza).  At this moment no coronavirus measures apply.

The target group will receive an invitation for the pneumococcal vaccination via their GP in the autumn. The invitation is accompanied by an infographic. The invitation and the infographic are available on this page in multiple languages.

In the Netherlands, the vaccine is available for infants, the elderly and people with a medical indication. Each of these groups is vaccinated in a different way: Infants receive the vaccination via the Municipal Public Health Services (GGD) The elderly receive an invitation to be vaccinated via their GP, often at the same time as their annual flu shot. People with a medical indication will receive the vaccination via their medical specialist or GP.

Young children, people who are 60 years and older and people whose immune system is compromised have a higher risk of becoming ill from a pneumococcal infection. The best way to prevent pneumococcal disease is vaccination.

Pneumococcal disease is an umbrella term for infections caused by pneumococci bacteria. There are over 100 different types of pneumococci. They can cause various infections, including sinus infection, ear infection, pneumonia, blood poisoning or meningitis.