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COVID-19 VACCINES

First Swiss canton to administer Covid booster shots for all from Monday

The southeastern Swiss canton of Graubünden, sometimes known in English as Grisons, will start administering booster shots from Monday, November 29th.

Published: 25 November 2021 15:17 CET
Buildings in the southeastern Swiss canton of Graubünden.
Graubünden will become the first Swiss canton to start administering Covid booster shots from Monday, November 29th onwards. Photo: AFP

This makes Graubünden the first Swiss canton to start administering booster shots for everyone. 

Swissmedic approved booster jabs for everyone over the age of 16 on November 23rd, however the Federal Vaccination Commission has not yet handed down an approval. 

READ MORE: Switzerland approves Covid-19 boosters for everyone over 16

While this is expected in the coming days, many Swiss cantons have dismantled their vaccination infrastructure since the summer and are therefore not ready to start the booster shots for the general population. 

Graubünden Health Director Peter Peyer said the canton wanted to roll out booster shots as soon as possible to minimise the potential impact of a fourth wave of the virus. 

“We can see that the booster vaccinations are useful and greatly increase vaccination protection again. We want to boost as much as possible,” Peter told Swiss news outlet SRF on Thursday. 

“The (hospital) staff have been overworked for months and we have to show that we are ready to change the situation. Otherwise we will lose more employees. And that would be devastating.”

REVEALED: Where are Switzerland’s Covid hotspots right now?

Graubünden has one of the highest vaccination rates in Switzerland, with 68.5 percent of the population receiving at least one shot of the vaccine. Switzerland’s national average is 67.05 percent. 

This high rate makes Graubünden relatively unique among German-speaking, non-urban cantons, which have the lowest vaccination rates in the country. 

How do I get it? 

You can get your booster jab in the same way you got your first and second dose. 

Booster shots are administered by the canton in which you live. 

For more information about booster shots in Switzerland, including who is eligible and how to get one, please check out the following link. 

READ MORE: Covid booster vaccinations in Switzerland: What you need to know

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COVID-19 VACCINES

Switzerland’s Covid vaccine programme to restart in autumn

Amid expectations of a further wave of the virus, on Monday, Switzerland's Office of Public Health (BAG) is set to issue new recommendations for people in certain at-risk groups to have vaccinations against Covid-19.

Published: 9 September 2023 23:57 CEST
Updated: 11 September 2023 16:10 CEST
Switzerland's Covid vaccine programme to restart in autumn

According to research carried out by Swiss news weekly Weltwoche and CH Media, the Federal Office of Public Health and the Federal Commission for Vaccination Issues will recommend that those over 65, and people over 16 with “increased individual health risks because of a pre-existing condition or Trisomy 21” are vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine. Pregnant women should also be vaccinated in the autumn.

The government clearly wants to be prepared. According to internal documents, authorities are ordering 1.3 million vaccines doses from each of manufacturers Moderna and Pfizer. In addition, a delivery from Novavax and another from Moderna are expected in October, according to CH Media.

The official announcement is expected this Monday and the BAG will also make it clear that the vaccination should only be given “after the treating doctor has assessed the individual risks and benefits”. 

It was only announced on Monday that from September to December, those living in Zurich would once again be able to get tested for Covid-19 free of charge. This offer applies to all residents of the city of Zurich who are either symptomatic or who have had contact with a person who has tested positive. 

Those who don’t have symptoms, who haven’t been in contact with people who have tested positive for the virus or who need a test for travel purposes will still have to pay for the test. 

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