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.

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 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’.

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.

n 2022 the emission of greenhouse gasses was 7,9 percent lower than in 2021. This is mainly due to the high prices of natural gas. Therefore less natural gas was consumed by the industrial sector, built environment and the agricultural sector. Another factor was the mild winter compared to 2021.

Sowing flowers in arable field margins contributes to sustainable agriculture. It enhances biodiversity, and farmers need to use fewer pesticides on their crops. There are also major benefits to society, such as cleaner surface water and a more inviting landscape for recreational activities and exercising.

In 2022, the number of enteric infections – which mainly cause gastrointestinal symptoms – was higher than it was in the previous two years. However, the total number of infections was still lower than before the coronavirus pandemic.