Reports

The Superior Health Council issues a negative opinion on the commercialisation of food supplements containing only or mainly sodium chloride. They are potentially detrimental to public health as they may encourage excessive salt consumption.

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in babies under one year old. Every winter, it puts a huge strain on the healthcare system in Belgium. During 2024, two new preventive drugs will appear on the Belgian market to combat this virus...

The Superior Health Council advises against the commercialisation of foods for special medical purposes (FSMPs) containing breast milk intended for premature babies with (very) low birth weight. This advice is based on several considerations.

Vaccination against meningococcal ACWY has been part of the basic vaccination schedule for children and adolescents since 2019. For certain risk groups, the SHC recommends the meningococcal group B vaccine, with booster doses for both vaccines depending on the group. This new advice provides an...

Third National Environment-Health Action Plan (NEHAP3)

In this scientific advisory report, which offers guidance to public health policy-makers, the Superior Health Council of Belgium provides recommendations on vaccination against RSV (adults).

Draft Royal Decree regulating fumigation and defumigation

So far, no transmission of COVID-19 through organ or tissue transplantation has been reported, except for lung transplants. But, as SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in many tissues and cells, the possibility of such transmission cannot be totally ruled out.

Alcohol may indeed be an ingredient in certain "health" products consumed by adolescents and children.

Since March 2023, the vaccine Qdenga® is available on the Belgian market. This vaccine reduces the risk of a severe course of dengue infection. The vaccine may be administered to children as young as 6 years old. Dengvaxia® is not available in Belgium and is not recommended to travellers.

The impact of cigarette filters on public health and the Belgian environment

The introduction of GDPR legislation has a major impact on the management and transfer of medical data, so also in the case of human organ and tissue donation. Yet the availability and safety of human body material crucially depends on the proper transfer of information. Limited or incomplete ...

The Superior Health Council is currently revising its 2004 advisory report no. 7617 “Fish and Health". This first part of the revised document, which was written jointly with the Scientific Committee set up at the FASFC, examines the risks associated with exposure to mercury and methylmercury ...

The Superior Health Council has updated the good practices for the sterilisation of medical devices. This comprehensive advisory report describes the essential steps for the correct processing of medical devices and for...

Increasing the age limit for blood donations from non-regular donors

Wearing a mask to prevent viral respiratory infections in all circumstances (pandemic, epidemic, endemic) in healthcare activities.

Given the evolution of our epidemiology and the predominance of non-vaccine serotypes (non-PCV15) in Belgium, the effect of PCV13 or PCV15 vaccines can be expected to be comparable in the target group.

On this basis, the SHC currently recommends, without preference, PCV13 or PCV15 over PCV10.

Patients with cystic fibrosis have specific nutritional needs due to their disease. Care should be taken to ensure that they receive enough energy and protein. They also have a greater need for minerals and fat-soluble vitamins.

The use of nitrile undergloves under regular firefighters’ gloves as a protective measure against carcinogenic exposure in fires

In this scientific advisory report, which offers guidance to public health policy-makers, the Superior Health Council of Belgium provides recommendations to physicians and patients regarding the implementation of correct in vitro testing to document IgE-mediated food allergies ...