On 2 October, Minister Kuipers of Health, Welfare and Sport launched a new crisis response organisation under the RIVM umbrella: the National Functionality for Scaling up Infectious Disease Control (LFI). The reason for setting up the LFI is the risk that the Netherlands will once again be confronted with a large-scale outbreak of an infectious disease.

Since 1 October, the metabolic disorder adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) has been added to the Dutch newborn blood spot screening. From now on, the blood of newborn boys will also be tested for this disorder. ALD in boys can be treated if it is detected in time.

In October, many people will receive a new invitation to get the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine protects people who, because of their age or medical condition, are more likely to become ill or seriously ill from flu.

Students sometimes use ADHD medicines that have not been prescribed to them in order to study more effectively. It is suspected that they obtain these medicines from other people, who do have a prescription. Sewage research conducted by RIVM supports this theory.

The Dutch railway network is one of the busiest in Europe – and it is expected to become even busier. Vibrations from trains can cause severe annoyance and severe sleep disturbance for people who live up to 300 metres away.

The current level of emissions from the Tata Steel site is putting people who live in the IJmond region at an elevated risk of disease. The greatest benefits to public health in the region can be achieved by reducing nuisance caused by and exposure to Tata Steel emissions. This is the outcome of a study conducted by RIVM.

The Netherlands’ mobile vaccination units (prikbussen) have been selected as a best-practice method for the European project ‘Overcoming Obstacles to Vaccination’.

In 2022, there were 1,165 reported outbreaks of food-related infections. An outbreak means that two or more people become ill after consuming the same food. A total of 4,470 people became ill.

An international audit committee of scientific experts, commissioned by the RIVM Scientific Advisory Board, reviewed the institute’s COVID-19 data analytics and modelling work. These models and data formed a scientific basis for recommendations by the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) and others on COVID-19 control measures in the Netherlands. 

From 19 September 2023 on, the first people will receive an invitation for COVID-19 vaccination. The first invitations will be sent by RIVM to people aged 60 years and older.