Switzerland orders 14 million Covid-19 vaccines for 2023
Switzerland is buying at least 14 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine for 2023, in order to provide for its population of 8.7 million “under all pandemic scenarios”.
Seven million of the jabs will be purchased from the Moderna company and seven million from Pfizer/BioNTech, the government wrote on FridayExternal link.
An option to buy seven million further doses from each manufacturer, to be activated “only if needed”, has also been agreed. Up to one million doses of a non-mRNA vaccine will also be purchased from another (unnamed) manufacturer.
The government says the goal is to ensure the supply for the public “under all pandemic scenarios”, but it did not go into detail about what such scenarios might look like. Surplus vaccines would be sold on or given away, it said.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
For 2022, a total of 34 million vaccines are yet available for the Swiss population of 8.7 million, the government said in February – this is more than enough, even in the event of another booster campaign.
Currently some 69% of the entire Swiss population is fully vaccinated; for the population over the age of 12 this figure climbs to 78%. Just under 42% have received a third booster dose.
High case numbers
The pandemic situation in Switzerland is currently one of almost record-high new daily case numbers, but low hospitalisations and deaths. On Friday 32,087 new cases were recorded, with a test positivity rate approaching almost 50%.
Earlier this week, Interior Minister Alain Berset told journalists that the recent hike in cases was to be expected (given the dropping of almost all remaining pandemic restrictions last month) but there was no cause for alarm, as the situation in hospitals was under control.
Two measures remain in place: the wearing of hygiene masks in public transport and a five-day isolation period for those who test positive for Covid. The government intends to lift them at the end of March.
Pro-Palestine uni protests to be debated in Swiss parliament
This content was published on
The Swiss People’s Party says it will launch two postulates calling for clarifications about the recent student protests and occupations.
This content was published on
A 36-year-old man from Ticino lost his life on Saturday in Val Malvaglia, in the north of canton Ticino, during a wingsuit jump from a plane.
Swiss Evangelical Reformed Church numbers dropping in French-speaking Switzerland
This content was published on
As in German-speaking Switzerland, the number of members of the Reformed Church in French-speaking Switzerland is also declining.
Gotthard traffic queue hits 20km during holiday weekend
This content was published on
The traffic jam at the Gotthard north portal reached a length of 20 kilometres on the motorway between canton Nidwalden and canton Uri.
Swiss Interior Minister visits Cannes Film Festival
This content was published on
Swiss Interior Minister left the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday after three days of intensive dialogue, meetings and film screenings.
Swiss theatre director breaks with tradition at Vienna’s Rathausplatz
This content was published on
With the proclamation of the "Free Republic of Vienna", the start of the festival on Friday evening was unusually political.
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
Covid cases still rising but Swiss government unfazed
This content was published on
The Swiss authorities have recorded a steep increase in new confirmed Covid cases but the situation in hospitals is under control.
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.