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Swiss cantons to start vaccinating younger people after increase in severe Covid cases

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Swiss cantons to start vaccinating younger people after increase in severe Covid cases
A medical staff member prepares a syringe with a vial of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine at a pop up vaccine clinic at the Jewish Community Center on April 16, 2021 in the Staten Island borough of New York City. (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP)

Authorities in at least two Swiss cantons have opened up vaccinations to younger members of the general public. The change was made due to the increasing number of serious Covid cases among younger people.

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Two Swiss cantons - Zug and Uri - have announced they will begin vaccinating younger members of the general public, effective immediately. 

The change has been made due to an increase in the prevalence of severe cases of the virus in younger people. 

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of people between the ages of 50 and 60 who have been hospitalised in recent weeks, many of whom have been admitted to intensive care. 

In Uri - the canton which has administered the most doses on a per capita basis - vaccinations will now be available to people aged 50 and over. 

READ MORE: How to register for the coronavirus vaccine in your Swiss canton

In Zug, the age has been lowered to 45, effective immediately. 

The appointments have already been made available in both cantons. 

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Zug

A spokesperson for the canton of Zug told Swiss news outlet 20 Minutes that the majority of those admitted to hospital were now under the age of 60. 

““In the last week, 70 percent of the hospitalised Corona patients in the canton of Zug were under 60 years old. In the 'first wave' in spring 2020, this proportion was still below 30 percent,” the spokesperson said. 

“Everyone over 45 years of age can register with immediate effect. The vaccination appointments are then assigned continuously.”

“In Zug, we try to vaccinate the vaccination doses that have been delivered as quickly as possible. This works very well thanks to the efficient operation in the vaccination centre, which is why this opening up to the next group is now possible,” said Zug health director Martin Pfister. 

Pfister encouraged all of those who are over 65 to register, saying that they were still being prioritised. 

Click this link to register for the vaccine in Zug. 

Uri

Cantonal authorities in Uri put out a statement saying the vaccination campaign would be expanded to include more younger people as a reaction to the increasing number of severe cases. 

"The opening of the registration option for people over 50 years of age is intended to protect this population group in the event of infection with the coronavirus and prevent a severe course of the disease".

In order to register for the vaccine in the canton of Uri, you must speak with your GP or contact the vaccination centre in the cantonal hospital on +41 (0) 41 875 50 70. 

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