News | RIVM

RIVM: seven e-cigarette flavourings with tobacco-taste pose health risk

The Dutch government only wants to allow 23 e-cigarette flavourings with a tobacco-taste. RIVM examined whether these 23 flavourings are harmful to people’s health.

Can healthy gut microbes protect us against antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

It is largely assumed within the scientific community that a healthy intestinal microbiome can provide resistance against the settling, growth and multiplication of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

RIVM expands HPV vaccination programme: girls and boys protected from six types of cancer with one vaccine

Now not only girls, but also boys will have the opportunity to protect themselves from cancer caused by HPV.

Jongen en meisjes poseren op een kruk voor campagneposter HPV vaccin

The National Immunisation Programme: the number of disease notifications decreased substantially in 2020

In 2020, fewer people fell ill from a disease against which vaccination is included in the National Immunisation Programme than in 2019. This is most likely due to coronavirus measures, such as social distancing, handwashing, and travel restrictions.

Awareness and use of cigarillos, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches relatively low

The awareness and use of cigarillos, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches is relatively low. This is apparent from research by RIVM among Dutch people aged 13 and older, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.

Sewage treatment workers not more likely to carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Employees at sewage and wastewater treatment plants in the Netherlands and Germany are not more likely to carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria than other people.

Loopbrug rioolwaterzuiveringsinstallatie

Unie van Waterschappen

RIVM recommends limiting number of e-cigarettes flavourings to 23 with tobacco taste only

The government wishes to make e-cigarettes less attractive, in particular for young people.

Vaccination coverage increases for second consecutive year, by 10% for HPV

The percentage of children receiving vaccinations from the National Immunisation Programme rose again last year. Another striking note is the 10% increase in HPV vaccination, rising to 63%.

Het aantal jonge vrouwen dat zich laat vaccineren tegen HPV is toegenomen met 10%

Antimicrobial resistance in the Netherlands stable in 2020

In 2020, the year of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, resistant bacteria were not found more often in patients in the Netherlands than before the outbreak.

Menthol facilitates inhalation of tobacco smoke, even when you cannot taste it

Even when menthol cannot be tasted, the substance makes it easier to inhale tobacco smoke. This way, menthol makes smoking more attractive for young and novice smokers who are not yet used to inhaling sharp, pungent tobacco smoke.