On 29 September 2021, Switzerland’s government announced it had signed a contract with Johnson & Johnson to receive 150,000 doses of its Covid-19 vaccine. The delivery of the doses is expected next week. The viral vector vaccine will be used primarily on people who cannot receive mRNA vaccines for medical reasons. However, it will also […]
Swiss air pollution exceeds new WHO guidelines
On 22 September 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) adjusted its healthy guidelines for key air pollutants. Switzerland now regularly exceeds maximum guidelines for several pollutants. According to WHO, exposure to air pollution is estimated to cause 7 million premature deaths a year globally and result in the loss of millions more healthy years of […]
Swiss health premiums to rise for many in 2022 despite average price fall
Compulsory Swiss health insurance premiums are on average set to fall by 0.2% in 2022, announced the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) on 28 September 2021. This is the first time since 2008 that average premiums have fallen. Basic health insurance is compulsory in Switzerland and governed by federal law called LAMal. Insurers must […]
The impact of language on health and wellbeing
What impact do the languages you speak have on your health and wellbeing? Social-science researchers at Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) in Switzerland seek answers to this question and are looking for people to interview who live in French-speaking Switzerland and do not speak French as a native language. Social connection is fundamental for health and […]
Covid certificate soon required to enter Swiss parliament building
Since 13 September 2021, a Covid certificate has been required to enter bars, restaurants, museums, cinemas, theatres, public baths and various other places in Switzerland. From Saturday, 2 October 2021, the same requirement will be extended to the Federal Palace in Bern, reported RTS. A bill making Covid certificates compulsory to enter the Federal Palace […]
Swiss government defends its strategy ahead of second anti-Covid vote
On 28 November 2021, Swiss voters will be asked whether they accept laws passed by the government on 19 March 2021 that paved the way for the introduction of Switzerland’s Covid certificate, a system that provides proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test. This is the second time a vote has been organised to […]
Covid: Swiss government set to extend free tests
Free Covid-19 tests in Switzerland were set to end by 1 October 2021. However, on 24 September 2021, the federal government announced free tests would be extended until the end of November 2021 for the partially vaccinated while they wait for their second shot, and until 10 October 2021 for everyone else, announced the government. […]
Swiss pandemic spending low when compared internationally
The think tank Avenir Suisse has calculated that in 2020 the Swiss federal government spent CHF 5 per person per day on the pandemic, a total of CHF 41 million a day. While an enormous sum, this compares favourably to a number of other nations. For example, the UK spent CHF 8 francs per person […]
Covid: new cases down sharply this week in Switzerland
This week, 10,309 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Switzerland, down 31% from the 15,024 recorded the week before. This week there were 35 recorded Covid-19 deaths compared to 38 the week before and the number hospitalised fell from 300 to 223. However, delays in reporting mean recent death and hospitalisation data will be revised upwards when the data […]
Presumed consent for organ donation, accepted by Swiss government
This week, the Council of States, Switzerland’s upper house, followed parliament and approved presumed consent for organ donation in Switzerland, reported RTS. In response to an initiative launched to put the question of presumed consent of organ donation to Swiss voters, the Federal Council came up with a counterproposal that presumes consent but gives those […]
