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Mix vaccines?
A journalist wants to know if the different vaccines can be combined. But the experts cannot answer that at this point.
First, risk groups should be able to get vaccinated
A journalist asks who can get vaccinated first. Stefan Kuster from BAG says: “First of all, it will probably be the risk groups and their environment.” The exact strategy can only be determined when the vaccines and the effect are safe.
Is that 100 million for the new vaccine?
Alain Berset says the money is only for the procurement of vaccines in general, not specifically for the new Pfizer vaccine. Nora Kronig from BAG confirms it.
Berset spoke again about the general situation
“We have to get well below 1 for the R value,” the Federal Council said. Ask everyone again to adhere to the measurements, otherwise it would not be possible.
Guaranteed access to several million vaccines
So far, the federal government has signed contracts with two vaccine manufacturers. At Moderna, access to 4.5 million doses of vaccines has been secured. He agreed with the British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and the Swedish government to administer up to 5.3 million doses of vaccines.
In addition, there is participation in the international initiative COVAX, a global purchasing program to acquire Covid-19 vaccines for up to 20 percent of the population. Ideally, this would equal 3.2 million additional doses of vaccine.
Hope for next year
It is not yet possible to say when a vaccine will be available. The Federal Office of Public Health assumes that the first vaccinations can be carried out in Switzerland in the first half of 2021.
No compulsory vaccination
Berset emphasizes again that there will be no mandatory vaccination. Everyone should be able to decide for themselves, according to the Federal Council. However, the Federal Council hopes that vaccination will alleviate the situation. Get ready, says Berset. Study the documents so that, if available, you can enter the Swiss market as soon as possible.
Berset: “The prospects are really good”
The Federal Council has contact with various manufacturers. “We want to drive on multiple tracks,” says Berset. “The prospects are really good,” says Berest in response to Pfizer’s announcement: Switzerland has a binding reservation. There are still some things to be clarified regarding the transport and storage of the vaccine. That’s why you always have to cool it down.
Berset: “No further measures are planned”
Alain Berset says that no further measures are currently planned. However, for the situation to truly relax and, if necessary, to speak of relaxation, the R-value must fall well below one. This value is currently hovering around one. Everyone must continue to comply with the hygiene rules.
Berset: “We have done everything possible”
Alain Berset says that the Federal Council is doing everything possible to provide Switzerland with a possible vaccine. That is why today 100 million more have been released for it. The 100 million are part of the Corona loan.
Berset: “The situation seems to have relaxed a bit”
Alain Berset: «The situation seems to have eased a bit in recent days. This is undoubtedly also due to the measures we have taken. The number of hospitalizations continues to increase, which remains a great challenge for hospitals. Contact tracing is also still very important, everyone involved must contribute to make it work. “
Switzerland is better prepared in this second wave, as they know the virus much better than in spring.
Questions about other companies
Federal Council spokesman André Simonazzi responded for the first time to questions about other Federal Council decisions at today’s meeting. Alain Berset will then report on decisions on the crown crisis.
The Federal Council increases the credit for the purchase of vaccines by 100 million
This is the most important information:
- To ensure rapid access to an effective Covid-19 vaccine for the Swiss population, the Federal Council today decided that Increase the credit for this by 100 million francs.. He had previously approved an initial loan of 300 million.
- Because it is not yet possible to say with certainty which manufacturer’s vaccines will ultimately prevail, the federal government relies on several manufacturers, as it announced today. To implement this procurement strategy and to be able to enter into more reserve contracts, the Federal Council has now increased the credit for vaccines by 100 million.
- So far, the federal government has already signed contracts with two vaccine manufacturers. At Has obtained access to 4.5 million doses of vaccines for the Moderna company. With the British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca agreed to deliver up to 5.3 million doses of vaccine. In addition, there is participation in the international COVAX Initiative, a global purchasing program to obtain Covid-19 vaccines for up to 20 percent of the population.
Press conference at 2:30 pm
At 2:30 pm, Federal Councilor Alain Berset will provide information on decisions related to the coronavirus. You can follow the press conference live here or on television on SRF 1.
The canton of Bern also demands more money from the federal government
The Federal Council will provide at least 1 billion Swiss francs for Covid hardship cases. This is what the governing council of Bern demands. The 200 million Swiss francs planned was far from enough.
From the point of view of the canton of Bern, the federal government’s draft ordinance has more shortcomings, as the governing council wrote in its response to the consultation published today. The text needs to be urgently improved, eg a clear definition of difficult cases and a workable implementation.
Either way, the hardship rule takes too long before troubled companies can get the money they urgently need. Therefore, the Federal Council should immediately reactivate the Covid-19 loan instrument, which has proven its effectiveness in the spring. Execution systems are well established and can be activated quickly.
The EU wants to have more to say in health crises
As a lesson from the crown crisis, the EU Commission calls for a European pandemic plan in the future. In addition, the powers of the EU health authorities, ECDC and EMA will be expanded. Today, EU Commissioner Stella Kyriakides presented the package for a “Health Union”.
This would give the EU new levers to manage health crises affecting several EU countries or the entire community. Until now, Brussels has had little say in health matters, that is a matter for the Member States.
For the first time there should be the possibility of declaring an EU health emergency and thus initiating a coordinated procedure and, for example, the purchase and storage of important goods. In addition to the planned EU preparedness plan for health crises and pandemics, EU agencies must develop and coordinate and monitor national crisis plans.
EU states and the European Parliament now have to discuss the Commission’s proposals.
The Commission also proposes better monitoring of the infection situation, an EU health working group and a strengthening of the EMA pharmaceutical authority.
Keystone
Green light for the EU vaccine treaty
The European Union can buy up to 300 million doses of the promising crown vaccine from Biontech and Pfizer. The EU Commission formally approved the framework agreement with the two companies, EU circles have confirmed. EU states have the right to acquire rights to the vaccine as soon as it is approved. When the time comes it’s open.
The EU treaty provides for the purchase of 200 million doses of vaccines from Biontech / Pfizer and the option of 100 million more. According to an EU agreement, future vaccines will be distributed according to population size. The EU Commission has also concluded similar framework agreements with three other vaccine manufacturers: Johnson & Johnson, Astrazeneca and Sanofi-GSK. They also have promising vaccine candidates.
However, none of the manufacturers have been approved for the European market. It should be requested from the EMA Medicines Agency as soon as sufficient data from clinical trials are available.
BAG registers 8,270 new cases of coronavirus in 24 hours
- The Federal Office of Public Health has noon today 8,270 new cases who tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days.
- So that lies 7-Day Avg at 6983. These are 13 percent less than in the previous week. Currently, the trend is down.
- The positive rate on a 7-day average is currently at 26.5 percent. This means that out of 100 tests, an average of 27 tests were positive. This means that the critical threshold of 5 percent has been exceeded. According to the WHO, the risk is now increasing that the number of reported cases will not provide a reliable picture of how the virus is spreading. If the number of reported cases continues to increase but is no longer being tested, there are likely to be a higher number of unreported cases. The test volume is included in an average of 7 days. 29,115 tests per day and it’s over compared to the week before 7 percent diminished.
- The BAG reports 86 new deceased. The cantons are currently reporting 3,914 peoplewho are being treated in a hospital for Covid-19. These are 15 percent more than in the previous week.
Ticino: maximum number of new infections reported in 24 hours
The canton Ticino reports 482 new infections by the corona virus in the last 24 hours. This is the highest value reported since the pandemic began last spring.
29 people with Covid-19 have received hospital treatment in the last 24 hours. Six people died as a result of lung disease during this period.
In the first wave, Ticino was the canton of Switzerland most affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
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An additional 63 million to maintain the innovative strength of companies
The Federal Council wants to make sure that companies in Switzerland can maintain their innovative strength during the corona pandemic. You have decided to launch a corresponding stimulus program with easier financing conditions.
With the “Innovation in Switzerland” promotion program, SMEs and companies with a maximum of 500 employees will receive financial support in 2021 and 2022, as announced by the Federal Department of Economics, Vocational Training and Research (EAER).
According to the announcement, the boost program carries additional costs of around 63 million francs.
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