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Zurich and Bern criticize the Federal Council’s communication on booster vaccinations after four months. Instead of pushing the ball back and forth, more vaccinations simply have to be given, demand politicians.
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- Daniel Graf
- Noah Knüsel
These corona rules apply from Monday.
20 min
After the announcement of the new booster deadline, cantons criticized the Federal Council.
Health advisor Andreas Faller cannot understand: “Instead of complaining, everyone has to give full throttle when boosting.”
In Bern, people are defending themselves against the allegations: “We are not against boosting at all, but against the way the Federal Council has announced it.”
The booster vaccination should be possible as early as four months after the second vaccination from next week. This means that more than 1.85 million Swiss people are also admitted to the booster vaccination in one fell swoop. The Federal Council reacted on Friday to multiple demands and criticism of the slow approval of booster vaccinations. For some cantons, however, the amended recommendation is coming too quickly: Zurich and Bern criticize the Federal Council in the “Sunday newspaper” (paid article).
For Andreas Faller, a self-employed consultant in the healthcare sector, one thing is clear: “Instead of pushing the ball back and forth, the federal government and the cantons must now do everything together to boost things faster.” Faller names pharmacies and doctors, for example, where there is still some vaccination potential lying idle. “It is up to the cantons to get them on board even more and to motivate them to vaccinate.”
“It takes the full program”
According to Faller, it was foreseeable that the modified booster recommendation would come: “It is true that it came surprisingly quickly now. But I think it is wrong to criticize the Federal Council after it has quickly made a decision and created the basis for further booster vaccinations. ” It is clear: “As soon as the recommendation of the Federal Vaccination Commission (EKIF) is there, the rush for the vaccination dates begins. Instead of complaining, everyone has to go full throttle when boosting. ” Former task force member Dominique de Quervain also agrees: “All available data show that the booster vaccination is essential for protection against Omikron. Therefore, all available means have to be boosted as much and as quickly as possible – even over the holidays. “
For the infectiologist Jan Fehr, the modified recommendation makes sense from a scientific point of view: “There are increasing indications that the protection against transmission of the vaccinations already declined six months ago. In addition, there is an omicron, which further exacerbates the situation. ” Nevertheless, it is important to proceed step by step and to inform those who also have to implement this in good time. “With the announcement of the Federal Council without prior notice, enormous expectations are built up in the population, which can lead to frustration if people are allowed to boost after four months but have not yet been given an appointment.” In addition, the shortening would hardly be feasible without approval from Swissmedic: “In the case of off-label vaccinations, a time-consuming consultation is still necessary.”
Center National Councilor Ruth Humbel is now calling for “the full program”, as she says: “We need vaccination buses and trams across the board.” The booster campaign must get as close as possible to the population. The cantons are now asked: “You have to build capacity again as quickly as possible.”
She understands the cantons’ criticism of federal communications, according to Humbel. Initially, it was said that only those over 65 years of age with at least six months since the last vaccination would be boosted. Now, in many places, they are already behind with this campaign. “This shows: Unfortunately, nothing has been learned from previous experience.” One thinks far too little in terms of different scenarios and escalation levels, says Humbel: “Instead, the federal government and cantons usually only look at what is currently valid and are surprised by new developments.”
Does the announcement raise false hopes?
GLP National Councilor Martin Bäumle can understand the criticism of individual cantons of the Federal Council’s approach: “I myself was also surprised by the tightened booster announcement.” The Federal Council had overslept their preparation for a long time and now panicked over Omikron.
The cantons of Zurich and Bern are defending themselves against the allegations (see below). You point out, for example, that the Federal Council announced the new deadline surprisingly and without consultation. This back and forth between the federal government and the cantons is the biggest problem for communications specialist Hans Klaus: “First, the cantons say they have to wait for the modified vaccination recommendation. The federal government then issues these, apparently without giving any prior notice, and is overwhelming the cantons. The result is that many people are hoping for a booster vaccination, but this cannot be fulfilled for everyone at the moment. “
Gundekar Giebel, Head of Communication at the Bern Health Directorate, rejects the allegations: “Bern is not fighting against boosting at all, but against the way in which the Federal Council has announced it. That leaves the cantons no time to prepare. ” In addition, such a request must be made with the necessary approvals and recommendations. “It takes a coordination of the decisions and communication of all federal agencies involved,” says Giebel. He also calls for Swissmedic to adjust the approval immediately: “As long as a vaccination is not approved, the legal responsibility rests with the doctors, and that cannot last for several hundred thousand doses.” Patrick Borer, Head of Communication at the Health Department in Zurich, says: “In the canton of Zurich, by far the greatest number of vaccinations were administered in Switzerland and we have one of the highest vaccination rates in the country.” In Zurich there are over 600 opportunities to get vaccinated and boosted. “We give up to 15,000 vaccinations every day, and 300,000 Zurich residents have already been boosted.” Both cantons emphasize that further vaccination centers will be opened shortly.
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