Switzerland pre-orders 4.5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine
Arms race: countries and companies are scrambling for a Covid-19 vaccine.
Associated Press
The Swiss government has signed a deal with US biotech firm Moderna to secure early access to 4.5 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine currently in development.
Swiss authorities saidExternal link on Friday that Moderna was “already at an advanced stage with its vaccine project”, but they did not mention a possible time frame for delivery.
They also said the 4.5 million batches would make it possible to vaccinate 2.25 million people, since double doses are expected to be necessary.
Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine, with ingredients manufactured by Swiss pharma firm Lonza, is based on an innovative mRNA technology, the government writes:
“mRNA is a kind of messenger molecule that carries the building instructions for the production of proteins. This tells the body’s cells how to produce the virus protein. As soon as the protein is produced in the body, it is identified as an antigen by the immune system, which then produces antibodies against the virus, thus preparing the body to combat the real virus.”
The government also says that Switzerland is “one of the first countries to conclude an agreement with Moderna”. The US has also been linked to a deal.
In parallel to this agreement, the Swiss government is continuing talks with other companies in what it calls a “diversified approach” to gaining access to a vaccine. It also continues to support multilateral projects for the fair distribution of a future cure, it writes.
The federal government has earmarked CHF300 million ($329 million) for the procurement of a vaccine.
Popular Stories
More
Workplace Switzerland
Meet the foreigners who make up a quarter of the Swiss population
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Switzerland to host Ukraine mine action conference in October
This content was published on
Together with Ukraine, Switzerland is organising the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024) in Lausanne on October 17 and 18.
Switzerland revises pension expenditure downwards by billions
This content was published on
The Swiss government has corrected downwards the projected expenditure on old-age and survivor insurance in 2033 by CHF2.5 billion ($2.66 billion).
Excess mortality rate post-Covid could persist until 2033
This content was published on
According to a report by reinsurer Swiss Re, many countries are still experiencing excess mortality following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Swiss Army ends clean-up operation in storm-hit Maggia Valley
This content was published on
The Swiss Armed Forces completed 76 flight hours during the clean-up operation following the storm in the Maggia Valley in Ticino at the end of June.
Swiss cruise ship stranded on Danube River after heavy rains
This content was published on
Passengers on a Swiss river-cruise ship stranded on the Danube following heavy rainfall are still unable to disembark in Vienna due to flooding.
Golden eagles get better at flying over time, say Swiss researchers
This content was published on
Golden eagles perfect their flight as they age and learn to make better use of air currents, says a new study co-produced by Swiss researchers.
This content was published on
Public libraries in Switzerland recorded 46.3 million admissions last year, 7.4 million more than in 2022, says the Federal Statistical Office.
Swiss conservative party seeks referendum against Eurovision contest
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Democratic Union is launching a referendum to prevent the Eurovision Song Contest from taking place in Basel next year.
Switzerland nabs 15 medals at WorldSkills championship
This content was published on
Swiss professionals have won 15 medals at the WorldSkills Championships in Lyon, France for the best finish by a European nation.
One dead, 2 children seriously injured after car crashes into Geneva sports centre
This content was published on
An 80-year-old driver crashed into several children aged around ten on Saturday after losing control of her vehicle in Geneva, before succumbing to her injuries.
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
Government earmarks CHF300 million to secure Covid-19 vaccine
This content was published on
The Swiss government is setting aside funds to procure enough doses of a Covid-19 vaccine for the country’s 8.6 million population.
This content was published on
It’s the question we all want an answer to: when will there be a vaccine against Covid-19? And how is fair access being negotiated?
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.