Swiss canton postpones second vaccine doses by six weeks
The Swiss canton of Vaud has decided to postpone the second dose of the coronavirus vaccine by six weeks.
While some Vaud residents are concerned this may make the vaccine less effective, authorities have reassured the population that the delay will not jeopardise the effectiveness of the vaccination procedure.
The postponement came about due to a delay in vaccine deliveries, Swiss news outlet Le Temps reports.
“The appointment was changed due to a delay in vaccine delivery, as you have probably heard or read in the media,” the canton wrote on its website on Friday.
The canton said that the delay does not hamper the effectiveness of the jab but rather improves it.
“This does not affect the effectiveness of the vaccine, nor its safety. On the contrary: prolonging the interval between the two doses can only improve the immune response,” the canton wrote.
“We remind you that the protection fourteen days after the first dose is already greater than 90%. The second is especially useful for increasing the duration of protection (and making it last probably beyond six months, but to date scientists lack perspective to be more precise).”
As at Friday, February 5th, 36,973 people have been vaccinated in Vaud since the shots began on December 28th, 2020. Of that number, only 1,430 people have received their second dose.
Delays across the country?
Switzerland is under increasing pressure to stick to its vaccine program, with some cantons such as Zurich already recording delays.
READ MORE: Why has Zurich's coronavirus vaccination plan been delayed?
On Wednesday, Switzerland denied an approval request for the AstraZeneca vaccine, saying more information was needed to make an accurate decision.
Swiss authorities said however that this would not relate in delays.
READ MORE: Will Switzerland's rejection of the AstraZeneca vaccine delay vaccinations?
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While some Vaud residents are concerned this may make the vaccine less effective, authorities have reassured the population that the delay will not jeopardise the effectiveness of the vaccination procedure.
The postponement came about due to a delay in vaccine deliveries, Swiss news outlet Le Temps reports.
“The appointment was changed due to a delay in vaccine delivery, as you have probably heard or read in the media,” the canton wrote on its website on Friday.
The canton said that the delay does not hamper the effectiveness of the jab but rather improves it.
“This does not affect the effectiveness of the vaccine, nor its safety. On the contrary: prolonging the interval between the two doses can only improve the immune response,” the canton wrote.
“We remind you that the protection fourteen days after the first dose is already greater than 90%. The second is especially useful for increasing the duration of protection (and making it last probably beyond six months, but to date scientists lack perspective to be more precise).”
As at Friday, February 5th, 36,973 people have been vaccinated in Vaud since the shots began on December 28th, 2020. Of that number, only 1,430 people have received their second dose.
Delays across the country?
Switzerland is under increasing pressure to stick to its vaccine program, with some cantons such as Zurich already recording delays.
READ MORE: Why has Zurich's coronavirus vaccination plan been delayed?
On Wednesday, Switzerland denied an approval request for the AstraZeneca vaccine, saying more information was needed to make an accurate decision.
Swiss authorities said however that this would not relate in delays.
READ MORE: Will Switzerland's rejection of the AstraZeneca vaccine delay vaccinations?
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