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How does the EU distribute the 300 million doses of vaccine?
With the announcement of the promising vaccine from Pfizer and Biontech earlier this week, the two companies have moved into pole position. It has already secured supply contracts for 600 million doses of vaccines. Today, the European Union has also insured 300 million cans. But how does the EU plan to avoid a dispute over distribution?
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Once this promising vaccine is available, we want to start distributing it quickly. Each EU state receives its fair share at the same time and under the same conditions. “
To avoid vaccine confusion, the EU is trying to use a distribution key. According to its EU population, Germany will receive 37 million Biontech units in a first tranche.
But the federal Minister of Health, Spahn, claims 100 million. Because Germany financially supported the development of the serum and is now receiving additional doses from bilateral research contracts.
Fair distribution, but especially the distribution itself, should be challenging: because heat-sensitive vaccine can only be distributed and stored at temperatures of minus 70 degrees. Maintaining the cold chain during distribution is likely to be one of the most important logistics tasks.
Spain requires a negative PCR test upon entry
Participants in Spain from Corona risk areas must present a negative PCR test as of November 23. The Madrid Ministry of Health announced that the test should not take more than 72 hours.
To assess which European countries are considered risk areas, the Spanish authorities will refer to the risk map of the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) , Link opens in a new windowsupport for. Switzerland is currently clearly a risk zone here.
In the case of third countries, Spain wants to use the respective incidence of 14 days – the number of infections per 100,000 inhabitants in 14 days – for the evaluation.
600 dead in 24 hours in Britain
In the UK, nearly 600 people died from Covid-19 in one day. Overall, the number of infections on Wednesday surpassed 1.25 million since the pandemic began, according to the latest government figures. They have also accounted for more than 50,000 deaths since Wednesday.
However, due to different counting methods, the national statistical office already has more than 65,000 deaths per crown. The office counts the cases in which Covid-19 is noted on the death certificate; the other number relates to previously positive cases. However, the fact is with both counting methods: Britain remains the country in Europe hardest hit by the corona pandemic in terms of absolute number of deaths.
Further decrease in the number of passengers at Zurich airport
Operations at Zurich airport were affected by the second corona wave. After the number of passengers had already fallen in September, it continued to decline in October.
In October, 468,616 passengers flew over Zurich airport, as announced by the airport operator on Wednesday night. That was 84 percent less than in October of last year. Compared to September, the minus was a good 9 percent.
After air travel recovered somewhat in the summer months from the impact of the spring corona, rising numbers of cases, travel restrictions and quarantine regulations have stalled the recovery in recent months, writes the airport.
Federal Council extends crown support to media
The Federal Council has expanded support measures for the media in the face of the crown crisis. Support for print media will continue until June 30, 2021. This means that Swiss Post can continue to distribute subsidized daily and weekly newspapers from regional and local press free of charge. In addition, the federal government will cover the subscription costs of the Keystone-SDA news agency for electronic media until the end of 2021.
The extension of the measures will cost the federal government around 20 million francs. Support for the media in the crown crisis was originally limited to late November 2020.
According to the Federal Council, the measures are intended to ensure regional public service throughout Switzerland. The pandemic aggravates the structural media crisis that has been observed for years. Your advertising revenue has been drastically reduced.
Family doctors want to have more voice
The medical networks mediX and mfe family and pediatricians Switzerland want official bodies to constantly involve them in planning and implementing measures to tackle the Covid 19 pandemic. For most patients, they are the first point of contact .
General practitioners and pediatricians are at the beginning and end of the chain of care in treating infectious diseases, according to a position paper from the two associations published today in the “Schweizerische Ärztezeitung”.
Unlike pure testing centers, sick patients could be cleared, diagnosed and treated more extensively in general practitioners’ offices. Furthermore, according to the two associations, research so far has largely focused on inpatient Covid 19 cases and has neglected the real-life situation in outpatient care. In particular, university institutes of family medicine should participate.
A young person is examined by their doctor for Covid-19.
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Swissmedic promises absolute transparency
Claus Bolte from Swissmedic promises that the vaccine approval process will be absolutely transparent. Swissmedic will also exchange ideas internationally and present and publish all the information.
Berset: “No vaccine without approval”
Berset makes it clear: “As long as a product is not approved, nothing will happen with regard to vaccines.” Therefore, it cannot be said exactly when vaccinations will begin. One hopes to be ready in the first quarter of 2021, but of course that is not certain.
Therefore, the crown measures would continue for a long time and it was crucial to continue to adhere to the rules.
Does the fast approval process present any risks?
Claus Bolte of Swissmedic says the criteria for authorization are as strict as they normally are. The process is simply sped up because the processes are processed continuously. Given the importance of this vaccine for the population, this is justified.
Questions about reservations at Pfizer / Biontech
What does reserved mean? A journalist wants to know if it’s all about price. It’s also about the quantities, delivery dates, prices and legal dimensions, Kronig says. For technical reasons, he could not say more about it.
What exactly is the 400 million for?
These basically include everything: purchase, storage, but also vaccination. However, there are still many things that are not clear, there is still to negotiate, says Kronig. Vaccine prices are very different, Berset adds. A balance must be found between access to the vaccine and the price of the vaccine.
Binding reservation at Pfizer / Biontech – what does that mean?
Kronig says this is the normal procedure. Then the details could be clarified and a contract could be concluded: “The pace of the negotiations is very fast. Negotiations are well advanced. ‘ There are already contracts with AstraZeneca and Moderna.
Berset: “The numbers have to go down”
Another question: if the target is an R-value of 0.7, how long does the Swiss population have to achieve it? If not, were new measures threatened? Alain Berset says there is no target for the R-value and no new measures planned. It’s just clear: “The numbers have to go down.”
Hospitals have now closed non-urgent interventions as well. “These people now have to wait for their treatment and they can’t wait forever.” Therefore, the number of hospitalizations must be drastically reduced.
Will enough people get vaccinated?
Alain Berset contradicts a journalist’s comparison with the flu vaccine, with which only about one in five can be vaccinated. He is convinced that more people will be vaccinated in this case. For him it is important that all those who want to be vaccinated have the necessary vaccines.
Ready to store?
A journalist wants to know if Switzerland is ready to store the vaccines. Berset says they have been preparing for months, the army is responsible. Nora Kronig, Head of the International Office (FOPH), adds that the material has already been purchased and is on its way.
Mix vaccines?
A journalist wants to know if the different vaccines can be combined. Experts cannot answer this question at the moment.
First, risk groups should be able to get vaccinated
Who will get the vaccine first? Stefan Kuster from BAG: “First of all, it will probably be the risk groups and their environment.” However, the exact strategy can only be determined when vaccines and effect are established.
Is that 100 million for the new vaccine?
Alain Berset says the money is only for the procurement of vaccines in general and not specifically for the new Pfizer / Biontech 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.
