As a result doctors are obliged to report the occurrence of specific infectious diseases to the authorities and in certain circumstances the authorities are empowered to isolate individuals who bring with them a threat of infection. This is one of the many laws to protect and prevent civilians against sickness. Prevention is necessary. Besides the laws the government has more instruments of preventive policy such as vaccinations, screenings of particular population groups and public information. Other options include medication to prevent disease in healthy people, and legislation and regulations to set food safety standards.
Municipalities play an important role in developing and implementing preventive policy.
The implementation of preventive work is done by the Municipal Health Services. The municipalities require the support of the central government and national institutions for the development of their preventive policy. The major areas involved are school health care, health education, the prevention of infectious diseases and the promotion of safety. The government cooperation with the National Institute of Public Health and Environment 1 is developing the future vaccination policy in the Netherlands for the 21st century. Possible inclusion in the national vaccination program of available vaccines or vaccines that will be available before 2010.