RIVM Newsletter Edition 3, 8 september 2022 |
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COVID-19 vaccination autumn 2022 | | A new wave of COVID-19 cases is expected in autumn 2022, accompanied by an increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections. The Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) has therefore decided to offer a repeat vaccination against COVID-19 to everyone aged 12 years and older, starting in the second half of September. Read more | Operations postponed due to pandemic result in 320,000 healthy life years lost | | The COVID-19 pandemic caused over 305,000 operations to be postponed in 2020 and 2021 in the Netherlands. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has calculated that this led to the loss of 320,000 life years in good health. The chances of making up for this loss of health are slim. Read more | Vulnerable groups in society have been hit harder by the COVID-19 pandemic | | Some vulnerable groups in society have been hit harder by the COVID-19 pandemic than less vulnerable groups. These include young people (up to 24 years) who have physical or mental problems or come from low-income families. Read more. | Lower risk of hospital admission after COVID-19 booster jab or repeat vaccination | | From 29 June to 23 August 2022, people aged 12 years and older who had the booster jab had a 51% lower risk of hospital admission than people who only received the basic series of COVID-19 vaccinations, which is a relative risk difference (RRD) of -51%. This means that the risk of hospital admission after a booster jab was about two times lower during this period, compared to people who only received the basic series of vaccinations Read more. | Preventing and controlling infectious diseases | One-third of target group now vaccinated against monkeypox | 10,440 monkeypox vaccinations were administered in the Netherlands in the week of 25 August 2022.That represents about one-third of the target group currently eligible to get the vaccine against monkeypox. Amsterdam had the highest number of vaccinations by far (3627). In the week of 25 August, the number of newly reported monkeypox infections in the Netherlands rose to 1136. Read more.
| Almost half of 9 and 10-year-olds get HPV vaccination at first opportunity | | This spring, more than 800,000 young people received an invitation to be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV). Almost half of the 9 and 10-year-olds showed up to get their first vaccination in spring 2022. From the end of August onwards, they will be able to obtain their next or last HPV vaccination. Young people who did not get the vaccination this spring will be given another opportunity to do so. Boys received an invitation for the first time this year. Read more. | Side effect reports from National Immunisation Programme 2021 | Last year, the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb received 1,462 reports of possible side‑effects from vaccines administered under the National Immunisation Programme. As was the case in previous years, no new or concerning side effects have been identified. Read more.
| Safe, clean and healthy environment | RIVM formulates criteria for R&D of sustainable pharmaceuticals | | As part of the international research project PREMIER, RIVM has formulated criteria for R&D of sustainable new pharmaceuticals. These GREENER criteria are an important first step to develop pharmaceuticals that do not impact the environment when they enter the water system after use. According to RIVM, environmental experts and pharmaceutical R&D experts should join forces to develop the necessary methods to implement these criteria. Read more. | Nitrate leaching on derogation farms in sandy regions continues to rise | | Nitrate leaching on ‘derogation farms’ has risen in recent years, most likely due to the drought experienced throughout the Netherlands in 2018 and regionally in both 2019 and 2020. In spite of this rise, derogation has had no negative impact on water quality in the years since 2006. The average nitrogen soil surplus in 2020 was lower than the average of the entire series of measurements since 2006. Read more. | Various options for research into the health impacts of wind turbines | | The location of wind farms is a frequent topic of public debate in the Netherlands. Some people are concerned about the health implications of having wind turbines placed in the vicinity of their homes. Apart from public nuisance, it is still unclear what those health impacts could be. But there are various ways to investigate this. RIVM has identified the main questions that people have about this topic. Read more. | Healthcare and healthy lifestyle | New European research project Click2Move launched | The Click2Move project was launched in June 2022. It is aimed at digital solutions for home-office workers to sit less and move more. A multidisciplinary partnership of universities, public health authorities and physical activity promotion agencies from five European countries will conduct research to reduce sedentary behaviour in working from home. RIVM is a partner in the project and is responsible for the national coordination for the Netherlands (e.g. recruitment of companies and other participants, follow-up meetings, etc.). RIVM has the leading role in Work Package 2 to co-create the digital solution for Health Enhancing Physical Activity strategies that aim to reduce sedentary behaviour and promote physical activity in home-office workers. Read more.
| EU study on improving access to financial products for persons with a history of cancer | As members of the EUHealthSupport consortium, the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (Nivel) and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) conducted a study on ‘Access to financial products for persons with a history of cancer in EU Member States’. The purpose of the exploratory study was to better understand the current situation as well as the viewpoints of EU countries and stakeholders regarding access to financial products for persons with a history of cancer. A quick scan of the (scientific and grey) literature was conducted, supplemented by consultation of experts, EU countries and stakeholders. The study was conducted to provide scientific support to the European Commission’s “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan”, led by the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE). Read more.
| Target group-oriented information more effective in the prevention of skin cancer | | Avoid sunburn: this is the main advice for the prevention of skin cancer. Targeted information is needed to ensure that people adapt their behaviour accordingly. Such information should be provided in places where people are exposed to the sun, for example, or for certain groups of people. If this information is repeated for several years, people will adopt a safer approach to sun exposure, thus preventing skin cancer. This is the advisory opinion that RIVM presented to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. Read more. | |
