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STI news

Key developments in sexual health in the Netherlands over the past few months.

July 2026

1 articles
Policy

Rutgers and Aidsfonds – Soa Aids Nederland merge into one sexual health organisation

Expertise centre Rutgers and Aidsfonds – Soa Aids Nederland completed a governance merger on 1 July; the legal merger follows on 1 January 2027. Under the joint leadership of Marieke van der Plas and Mark Vermeulen, a single point of contact emerges for sexual health knowledge, education and policy. The organisations aim to tackle misinformation and health inequalities more effectively and to reach young people and vulnerable groups better.

Source: Aidsfonds — fusiebericht

June 2026

1 articles
Research

RIVM annual report: fewer STI consultations in 2025, yet gonorrhoea and syphilis keep rising

RIVM counted 146,982 consultations at the Sexual Health Centres in 2025 — 8% fewer than in 2024 and below pre-COVID levels for the first time. Diagnoses nevertheless rose: gonorrhoea +2.5%, syphilis +7.2% and HIV +6%, with the positivity rate climbing to 17%. Fewer tests, more findings. Soa Aids Nederland calls the combination worrying and argues for more accessible testing via the GGD, your GP or a trusted provider.

Source: RIVM — SOA-jaarrapport 2025

May 2026

7 articles
Research

Young men: more unprotected sex, far less STI testing

Soa Aids Nederland highlights CBS figures: 14% of men around their twenties had unprotected sex with a casual partner in the past year, versus 8% of women — yet only 6% of young men got tested, against 13% of women. It calls the combination of unprotected sex and low testing rates alarming, and argues for targeted condom promotion and low-threshold testing via the GP, GGD or a trusted provider.

Source: Soa Aids Nederland — jonge mannen

Research

ECDC publishes 2026 STI annual reports: gonorrhoea and syphilis keep rising across Europe

On 21 May, ECDC released annual epidemiological reports for gonorrhoea, syphilis, congenital syphilis and lymphogranuloma venereum. The figures confirm what Dutch sexual health centres are already seeing: a sustained rise, especially among MSM. Soa Aids Nederland reiterates its advice: when in doubt, test via the GGD, your GP or a certified provider.

Source: ECDC — sexually transmitted infections

Prevention

RIVM continues HPV catch-up campaign: extra cohorts invited autumn 2026

RIVM is inviting additional cohorts for a catch-up HPV vaccination with the 9-valent vaccine. The National Immunisation Programme has used Gardasil 9 since 2022; the catch-up round targets groups that were not previously fully vaccinated.

Source: RIVM — HPV programme expansion

Policy

New coalition pledges fresh investment in sexual health

The new government’s coalition agreement explicitly includes sexual and reproductive health and rights. Rutgers and Soa Aids Nederland welcome the shift after years of budget cuts.

Source: Rutgers International

April 2026

6 articles
Policy

PrEP via GGDs: sustained demand, wait times vary by region

Since structural funding of the PrEP scheme at GGD clinics, the number of users keeps rising. Wait times for a first consult vary widely by region; Soa Aids Nederland suggests considering a private provider as a temporary alternative when waits are long.

Source: Soa Aids Nederland — PrEP

Research

RIVM 2025 annual figures: continued rise in syphilis at Dutch CSGs

RIVM’s annual report for 2025 again shows a rise in syphilis diagnoses. Soa Aids Nederland attributes the trend partly to limited GGD consultation capacity and is calling for additional investment.

Source: RIVM — more gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia at Dutch STI clinics

Research

Home tests on the rise as GGD waiting times persist

With GGD waiting times persisting, more people are turning to STI home tests. Soa Aids Nederland advises choosing only providers that work with an ISO-certified lab, and confirming any positive result via your GP or GGD.

Source: Soa Aids Nederland — SOA-test

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