The collaborating centre for smallpox vaccine 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 (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
The WHO Collaborating Centre for Smallpox Vaccine is coordinated by Leon Schutte, head of the RIVM department Emerging and Endemic Viruses.
WHO Collaborating Centres hosted by RIVM
- Overview WHO Collaborating Centres
- WHO CC for Antimicrobial Resistance Epidemiology and Surveillance
- WHO CC on Behavioural Science for Health Emergency Preparedness and Resilience
- WHO CC on Chemical Food Safety
- WHO CC for Family of International Classifications
- WHO CC for Infectious Disease Preparedness and IHR monitoring and evaluation
- WHO CC for Laboratory Preparedness and Response for High Threat Pathogens and Biorisk
- WHO CC on Life Course and Health
- WHO CC for Nutrition
- WHO CC for Risk Assessment of Pathogens in Food and Water
- WHO CC for Smallpox Vaccine
- WHO CC for Tobacco Product Regulation and Control