The collaborating centre for smallpox vaccines at RIVM supports WHO with knowledge on vaccines and vaccination and expertise on vaccine potency testing.
Smallpox has been eradicated since 1978, but the world and the WHO remain prepared in case the virus that causes the disease would re-emerge. The Netherlands has historically contributed significantly to the WHO smallpox eradication campaign and in particular RIVM (previously as RIV (National Institute for Public Health ) and later through its former sister organisation NVI) continues to supply WHO in the post-eradication era with expertise on virology, vaccinology and with technical expertise.
Coordination
WHO CC Smallpox Vaccine is coordinated by Dr Willem Luytjes, senior scientific advisor at the RIVM Centre for Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines.
WHO Collaborating Centres hosted by RIVM
- WHO CC Antimicrobial Resistance Epidemiology and Surveillance
- WHO CC Chemical Food Safety
- WHO CC Family of International Classifications
- WHO CC Infectious Disease Preparedness and IHR monitoring and evaluation
- WHO CC Laboratory Preparedness and Response for High Threat Pathogens and Biorisk
- WHO CC Life Course and Health
- WHO CC Nutrition
- WHO CC Risk Assessment of Pathogens in Food and Water
- WHO CC Smallpox Vaccine
- WHO CC Tobacco Product Regulation and Control
