The federal government announced plans to aggressively push Covid-19 vaccinations with a new programme launching in November 2021 costing CHF 150 million.
The objective of the campaign is to reach a vaccination rate of 93% among those over 65 and a rate of 80% among those aged 18 to 65. These targets will require a further 875,000 people to get vaccinated, reported 20 Minutes.
One idea is to reward those who convince someone to get vaccinated with a CHF 50 payment. A number of political leaders across Switzerland’s cantons have criticised this idea for being unworkable and against the spirit of people doing their bit to safeguard the vulnerable and the health system without payment.
In addition, the federal government aims to recruit 1,700 advisors to inform and encourage the unvaccinated to step up. These people may be used to visit people to discuss vaccination. They would be assigned to 5,000 people and receive CHF 60 an hour.
According to the newspaper SonntagsBlick, vaccination buses capable of vaccinating 50,000 people would be used in cities. 30 buses would circulate in Zurich and 20 in Bern.
Switzerland continues to make progress on vaccination. By 7 October 2021, 60% of the population was fully vaccinated and a further 5% partially jabbed. However, Switzerland continues to trail much of the rest of Europe. With 65% fully (60%) or partially (5%) vaccinated, Switzerland trails Germany (68%), the UK (72%), France (75%), Italy (76%) and Spain (81%) – data here.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Virginie Massey, the head of infectious disease control in Switzerland, described the current rate of immunity as insufficient. She remains concerned that as people migrate indoors the virus could start to spread faster and put strain on the hospital system over the colder winter months. The fear is that with around a million unvaccinated people above the age of 18, there are plenty who remain exposed to the risk of catching the virus and ending up in hospital.
More on this:
20 Minutes article (in French) – Take a 5 minute French test now
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Lynx says
Bribery wont work. Taking away the freedom of selfish, non-vaccinated, people is the only way. Ban them from even leaving their homes. Stop them from working, claiming benefits, shopping, etc, etc. They’ll soon learn that being stubborn results in a difficult life for them.
Josef says
That won’t work, you won’t win, and people like you will be held responsible, just like the last time in Nuremberg.
Lo says
Stupid
Ezra says
There is something extremely wrong with this.
Initially the Federal Swiss Government did very well, in my view, responding to this unknown virus and they took logical action respecting cantons. BUT as we got to know the virus better and as the miraculous Trump vaccines were distributed, the more draconian the rules became,
It should have been the absolute opposite.
However, I am still happy to be here compared to France, Italy or UK…