News | RIVM

Specific group of patients with impaired immunity invited in October for third COVID-19 vaccination

From 6 October on, a specific group of people with severely impaired immunity (immunocompromised patients) will receive their invitation for a third vaccination against COVID-19.

Dutch health similar to health in neighbouring countries

The health of the Dutch population is broadly in line with that of our neighbours.

Risk assessment method for gene drives

RIVM and partner organisations from England, Germany and Belgium have developed a method to assess the risks of gene drives in laboratories.

Director-general André van der Zande receives Royal honours

On Thursday, June 28th, our departing director-general André van der Zande received a Royal decoration from the Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, Hugo de Jonge.

Antibiotics are often used correctly, but improvements are still possible

General practitioners in the Netherlands are prescribing antibiotics less frequently. No drop has been observed in hospitals.

Frequently used cancer medicines do not harm plants and animals in water

Most cytostatics (medication for chemotherapy), tumor specific immunotherapy and hormone therapy don’t harm plants and animals in surface water.

Vaccination rate again drops slightly, HPV vaccination rate drops considerably

The vaccination rate for vaccines included in the National Immunisation Programme has dropped slightly by about 1 percent.

More people are tested for STIs

The number of people who have been tested for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) went up in 2017. This is the case both at the Sexual Health Centres and at the General Practitioner.

Our future Public Health: ageing healthily, but also major future challenges

The prospects for future public health in the Netherlands are good. Our life expectancy is steadily increasing, and most people feel healthy and do not experience activity limitations.

First issue RIVM Newsletter

We have launched the RIVM newsletter. We would like to keep you informed about the developments in public health and the environment in the Netherlands and our institute.