Which Swiss cantons have free coronavirus vaccine appointments?
Several Swiss cantons have an oversupply of vaccine doses, with thousands of free appointments as a result.
Just a few weeks ago, vaccination centres across Switzerland were calling out for a greater share of vaccine doses as people clamoured for appointments.
Now, several cantons say supply is outstripping demand.
The Swiss government is concerned about this, saying it could jeopardise the goal of reaching herd immunity in the populace.
In order to reach herd immunity, experts suggest a minimum of 80 percent of the population need to be vaccinated.
READ MORE: How to register for the coronavirus vaccine in your Swiss canton
Andreas Widmer, President of the National Center for infection prevention Swissnoso, told 20 Minutes that the country’s entire strategy hinged around herd immunity.
"If the willingness to vaccinate decreases in individual cantons, there is a high risk of new variants that the entire vaccination strategy will be destroyed."
Which Swiss cantons have free coronavirus vaccine appointments?
Swiss news outlet 20 Minutes reports that supply is outstripping demand in several cantons.
Basel City, Bern and Thurgau, for instance, have free appointments and are encouraging people to become vaccinated.
Zurich, while having the largest population of any Swiss canton, also has free vaccine appointments - so much so that since May 20th, Zurich allows people from any Swiss canton to be vaccinated there.
READ MORE: Why are vaccination appointments still vacant in Zurich?
Valais also allows people from other cantons to be vaccinated there.
Technically speaking, any Swiss citizen or resident is entitled by the federal government to be vaccinated in their canton of choice (i.e. not only where they work or reside), however some cantons have sought to restrict jabs to their own residents.
More information is available at the following link.
UPDATED: Can I get the coronavirus vaccine in a different Swiss canton to where I live?
Comments
See Also
Just a few weeks ago, vaccination centres across Switzerland were calling out for a greater share of vaccine doses as people clamoured for appointments.
Now, several cantons say supply is outstripping demand.
The Swiss government is concerned about this, saying it could jeopardise the goal of reaching herd immunity in the populace.
In order to reach herd immunity, experts suggest a minimum of 80 percent of the population need to be vaccinated.
READ MORE: How to register for the coronavirus vaccine in your Swiss canton
Andreas Widmer, President of the National Center for infection prevention Swissnoso, told 20 Minutes that the country’s entire strategy hinged around herd immunity.
"If the willingness to vaccinate decreases in individual cantons, there is a high risk of new variants that the entire vaccination strategy will be destroyed."
Which Swiss cantons have free coronavirus vaccine appointments?
Swiss news outlet 20 Minutes reports that supply is outstripping demand in several cantons.
Basel City, Bern and Thurgau, for instance, have free appointments and are encouraging people to become vaccinated.
Zurich, while having the largest population of any Swiss canton, also has free vaccine appointments - so much so that since May 20th, Zurich allows people from any Swiss canton to be vaccinated there.
READ MORE: Why are vaccination appointments still vacant in Zurich?
Valais also allows people from other cantons to be vaccinated there.
Technically speaking, any Swiss citizen or resident is entitled by the federal government to be vaccinated in their canton of choice (i.e. not only where they work or reside), however some cantons have sought to restrict jabs to their own residents.
More information is available at the following link.
UPDATED: Can I get the coronavirus vaccine in a different Swiss canton to where I live?
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.