Switzerland has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Europe.
Keystone / Laurent Gillieron
Several Swiss cantons have objected to a government proposal to offer CHF50 ($54) vouchers to people who persuade others to take a Covid-19 vaccination.
The idea was presented last week as part of a package of measures to boost vaccination rates in the country. With under 60% of the population double jabbed, Switzerland has one of the lowest rates in Europe.
The government asked cantons to comment on its proposals, which also included a dedicated “vaccination week”, mobile vaccination units and an educational drive.
On Wednesday, as the consultation phase comes to a close, the Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA reports that some of the 26 cantons are against the voucher scheme.
These include Zurich, Appenzell Inner Rhodes, Lucerne, Obwalden, Schwyz, Aargau, Glarus, St Gallen, Fribourg, Vaud and Thurgau. Negative comments include the complaint that such a scheme would be “un-Swiss” or that it could discriminate against people who choose not to get vaccinated.
Only Basel City has publicly come out in favour of the vouchers, says Keystone-SDA. The thoughts of other cantons are not yet known.
Earlier this week, Swiss public broadcaster SRF and the Neue Zürcher Zeitung newspaper ran reports of lawyers questioning the legality of the voucher scheme.
The government is due to announce its final decision on October 13 after it has digested the consultation feedback.
Students at EPFL in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied a building at the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) on Tuesday, mirroring a peaceful demonstration at the nearby University of Lausanne (UNIL).
TradeXBank to resume full operations after Sberbank Switzerland taken off sanctions list
This content was published on
TradeXBank, the former Swiss branch of Russia’s Sberbank, will be able to resume its dollar-denominated activities from the second half of this year.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
Government resists pressure to extend free Covid testing
This content was published on
The government is sticking to its decision to end free Covid testing as of October 11. The money saved will go into a new vaccination push.
All you need to know about the Swiss Covid certificate
This content was published on
Many public places in Switzerland now require a Covid certificate. Here is what you need to know if you are travelling here.
Many Swiss could prefer wider vaccine choice, survey finds
This content was published on
The representative survey by research group Sotomo, reported in the SonntagsZeitung, was carried out in July, well before the introduction of the Covid certificate obligation this week. However, according to experts interviewed by the paper, it could be a sign that Switzerland’s vaccination campaign would be boosted by making available other jabs which don’t use…
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.