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HEALTH

Almost ten percent of Swiss residents now vaccinated

The latest available figures show that almost ten percent of Swiss residents have now been vaccinated against coronavirus.

Published: 18 February 2021 13:11 CET
Almost ten percent of Swiss residents now vaccinated
Photo: AFP

The figures, published by Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health, show that 778,925 vaccinations have been administered across Switzerland – or 9.05 percent of the population. 

More than 100,000 people (102,098) have received both doses of the vaccine. 

The actual figure is expected to be slightly higher as the government only updates the vaccination information once per week. 

As with everything in Switzerland, strong cantonal differences remain – with some cantons’ vaccination rate approaching 15 percent. 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Switzerland’s smallest cantons have hit the ground running when it comes to vaccinations. 

Nidwalden is in the lead with 13.96 doses per 100 residents.

Nidwalden is among those who started vaccinating first in Switzerland on December 23rd, along with Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Zug and Obwalden.

Uri has vaccinated the second most (13.42 per 100), followed by Glarus (12.21). 

Bringing up the rear is the capital Bern, which is perhaps no surprise as the canton was the last of Switzerland’s 26 to start vaccinations. 

The de facto capital didn’t start vaccinating until January 11th and now has 8.60 people per 100 vaccinated so far. 

Zurich, Switzerland's most populous canton, has carried out the most vaccinations, with 125,375 in total. 

Note: This story featured up-to-date information as at February 18th. Please click the following link for the most up-to-date information. 

UPDATED: Which Swiss cantons are vaccinating fastest against coronavirus?

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HEALTH

How difficult is it to change your doctor in Switzerland?

If you already have a GP doctor in Switzerland but, for some reason, need or want to switch, how easy is it to do so?

Published: 8 July 2024 15:59 CEST
How difficult is it to change your doctor in Switzerland?

There are a number of reasons why you may want to leave your GP and find a new one.

Maybe you don’t like their bedside manner, are not happy with the medical care, or are simply moving away and need to find someone closer to your new home.

Whatever the reason, whether or not you can easily switch from one doctor to another depends on the kind of health insurance you have.

Different models, different rights

If you have the ‘standard’ — and typically the most expensive — type of the obligatory health insurance (KVG / LaMal), then you are free to switch your GPs at will, and you don’t have to inform the insurance carrier of the switch.

However, if you have opted for one of the cheaper insurance models, then your right to switch doctors may be limited:

Family doctor model’

It is the most popular in Switzerland (and 20 percent cheaper than standard insurance policy premiums).

Under this model, you have a family doctor who will manage your care — that is, treat you or send you to specialists if needed (with the exception of gynecologists and eye doctors, who don’t require a referral).

You can’t, however, change doctors at will, unless your insurance company approves the switch.

Telemedicine model

If you have opted for the Telemed formula, you must call a health hotline set up by your insurance company.

They will give you a referral to a doctor or hospital based on your symptoms.
 
Heath Maintainance Organisation (HMO)

Under this model, policyholders are required to consult a particular HMO practice. Two disadvantages of this alternative is a limited choice of doctors and you also need a referral to see a specialist.

So the only option that gives you the right to switch doctors with no hassle is the standard one, with the family doctor model also possibly allowing you to do so, under certain circumstances.

The way Telmed and HMO are set up, however, switching doctors is not possible. If that option is important to you, then you will have to switch to the (more expensive) standard insurance.

The only exception to the above restrictions are emergencies, when you need urgent medical treatment.

Assuming you have the standard model, how do you go about changing?

The process is pretty simple: you can find physicians in your area either through recommendations from people you know (which is the best way to ensure you will not be getting an ‘anonymous’ doctor) or, if no recommendations are available, then through the OneDoc platform, which lists which doctors are taking new patients and where.

You can then make an appointment directly online.

When you do so, ask your current physician’s office to transfer your file to the new doc.

You don’t need to explain the reasons for the switch.
 
READ ALSO: The essential Swiss websites you need to use for health matters 
 

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