The absence of anti-Covid vaccine AstraZeneca from a delivery plan shared last week by the army has raised questions about the fate of the vaccine. The British manufacturer accounts for a seventh of the country’s vaccine dose orders.
On Sunday, the paper NZZ am Sonntag wrote that the federal government is considering selling or giving away the Swiss quota if market approval continues to be delayed or is eventually denied. The review is dragging on since October because the competent authority, Swissmedic, has requested additional clinical data from a study in the US.
Nora Kronig, who is in charge of vaccine procurement, told the NZZ am Sonntag that the data situation is currently uncertain, which is why AstraZeneca is not listed in the delivery plan. She added that withdrawal from the sales contract is not an option at the moment but said the order would be reexamined if the vaccine fails to get approval.
According to Kronig, Switzerland is not dependent on AstraZeneca doses and the government does not rule out passing on the doses to others if necessary. A spokesperson for AstraZeneca told the paper that the company is ready to swiftly deliver doses to Switzerland as soon as Swissmedic approves the vaccine.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss sign next vaccine agreement with AstraZeneca
This content was published on
Switzerland signs agreement with British pharma company AstraZeneca to pre-order up to 5.3 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine under development.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.