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How to get the coronavirus vaccine in Vaud

Whether or not you are a member of a risk group, you will need to register in order to get the coronavirus vaccine in Vaud. Here's what you need to know.

Published: 5 May 2021 09:21 CEST
Updated: 5 May 2021 10:28 CEST
How to get the coronavirus vaccine in Vaud
How do you sign up to get the vaccination in Vaud. Photo: BERTRAND GUAY / AFP

The administration of the coronavirus vaccine is carried out at a cantonal level in Switzerland. 

This means that in the most cases you will need to register with your cantonal authorities to indicate you want to get the jab. 

Some people do not have to register, for instance those living in assisted care facilities or who have high-risk conditions. 

More information about the Swiss priority list for the vaccines is available at this link. 

How do I register for the coronavirus vaccine in Vaud?

As at late April 2021, everyone over the age of 18 can register to get the jab in Vaud. 

Vaud in late April became the first Swiss canton to open up vaccinations to the general public, i.e. also including adults of all ages who do not have risk conditions. 

Registration does not equal an immediate appointment. However, once you register, you will later be contacted by the cantonal authorities to book in an appointment. 

Registration can be done online using the canton’s ‘CoronaVax‘ vaccination portal. 

Once you have done this, you will be told whether you are eligible. 

From there, you can make an appointment directly. 

A link to the portal, which is only available in French, can be found here. 

The canton warns that anyone contacting vaccination centres directly will not be allowed to make an appointment without having gone through the portal first. 

Can I get the vaccine yet?

From late April onwards, everyone above the age of 16 in Vaud is entitled to the vaccine. 

Vaud was the first Swiss canton to allow vaccinations for all non-risk groups. 

READ MORE: Vaud first Swiss canton to start vaccinating all members of public

The only exception is for people who have had the virus in the past six months. They are encouraged to wait. 

What if I can’t work out the vaccination portal? 

People who may be a little uncertain about the portal and technology in general can still get the vaccine but will need to register the old-fashioned way.

People who have difficulties in registering, for instance technological or linguistic obstacles, are able to obtain help by contacting the general information line on 058 715 11 00

Please note: This report should be used as a guide only and will not be regularly updated. Please use the official links above to get up to date information from cantonal sources. 

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VAUD

Switzerland: What you should know before moving to Vaud

French-speaking Vaud is one of the most popular Swiss cantons for foreigners to settle in. There are many reasons why this is so. Here's what you need to know if you're thinking about moving here.

Published: 28 October 2021 13:31 CEST
Lavaux is one of Vaud's wine-growing areas.
Vaud’s Lavaux region is famous for its terraced vineyards overlooking Lake Geneva. Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

Although Vaud may not be as well-known abroad as Zurich or Geneva, many foreign nationals find their way into this canton in the western part of Switzerland.

In fact, about 33 percent of the canton’s 800,000-plus residents come from other countries.

Only its neighbour, Geneva, as well as Basel-City, have a higher proportion of foreign residents — 40 and 36 percent, respectively.

High concentration of foreigners may be explained by the fact that Vaud is home to a number of multinational companies, including Nestlé, Phillip Morris, Medtronic, General Mills, as well as a major research and education hub, the Federal Polytechnic Institute (EPFL).

The canton’s proximity to Geneva also means it is a popular commuter destination. 

EPFL research institute and campus. Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

If you are moving to this area, or have already settled here and are  still feeling your way around, this practical information may help you find your bearings.

Here’s what you need to know about moving to Vaud. 

Vaud’s capital: Lausanne

The seat of the cantonal government and the fifth-largest city in Switzerland (after Zurich, Geneva, Basel, and Bern), Lausanne is a super interesting place, which hosts the International Olympic Committee and its sports museum.

It also boasts a very picturesque medieval Old Town, as well as some Roman ruins located alongside the shore of Lake Geneva (known here as Lac Léman).

The center tower of the Cathedral of Lausanne overlooks the Old Town. Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

Although very hilly, Lausanne has a well-developed public transportation network, consisting of trolleybuses and metro, making it easy to move around this town.

Register your arrival

Whether you live in Lausanne or in another part of Vaud — which is made up of 302 communes located in 10 districts — you must announce your arrival at your local place of residence. This is a requirement in other Swiss cantons as well.

You can visit your commune’s website to find out exactly what documents are needed for registration, as this may vary from one municipality to another, even within the same canton.

READ MORE: How to register your address in Switzerland

Taxes

Each Swiss canton imposes its own taxation regime, and figuring out how to fill out your tax declaration or how much tax you owe can be a headache — no matter where you live.

This official site will help you calculate your taxes, based on your commune of residence.

Alternatively, you can find this information here.

READ MORE: Switzerland’s strangest taxes – and what happens if you don’t pay them

Health insurance

Health insurance is compulsory not only in Vaud, but also elsewhere in Switzerland. You will have to purchase a policy within three months of your arrival in the canton.

You can find various insurance carriers in Vaud, along with their rates, in this link.

While health insurance premiums are notoriously high in Switzerland, and Vaud’s are among the highest in the country, you can be assured of top-quality medical care.

That’s because Vaud’s university hospital (CHUV) is highly ranked not only in Switzerland, but it was also selected by Newsweek as one of the 10 best hospitals in the world in 2021.

The University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV) is highly rated worldwide. Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

Commuter towns

While the majority of Vaud residents are employed in the canton, some people — especially those living in the southern part of the canton — commute to work in nearby Geneva.

Communities along Lake Geneva, such as Gland, Nyon, and Coppet, are among Vaud  towns that are connected to Geneva by the A1 motorway or rail.

MAPS: The best commuter towns when working in Geneva

Leisure and recreation

Vaud offers lots of opportunities for both leisure and recreation, including boating on Lake Geneva and skiing in resorts like Villars, Les Diablerets, and Leysin.

And Vaud is also a well-known (at least locally) wine growing region, with vineyards located mainly along the coast of Lake Geneva.

One, the Lavaux area, which stretches for about 30 km along the lake, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Food

Vaud has some of its own culinary specialties that new residents should definitely try to get the taste — both literally and figuratively — of the region.

These are some typical dishes:

  • Sainte-Croix pea soup is often served at local fairs and village get-togethers
  • Ham on the bone and potato gratin are most commonly eaten at village events
  • Malakoffs  — cheese fritters coated with batter are quite caloric but delicious
  • Arctic char and perch fillets from Lake Geneva lightly fried and served with tartare sauce are a popular local specialty.

As they say in this part of Switzerland, bon appétit!

READ MORE: Six common myths about Swiss food you need to stop believing

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