After approval of the vaccine – Federal Councilor Berset: “Vaccination will begin in the next few days” – Switzerland

(agl) The first corona vaccines may soon start in Switzerland. Pharmaceutical authority Swissmedic has approved the Comirnaty® vaccine, according to a statement Saturday. “The data available so far showed a comparable high level of efficacy in all age groups examined and met the safety requirements,” Swissmedic continues.

Two months have passed since the Mainz-based company Biontech and its US partner Pfizer submitted their application for approval for the corona vaccination. Now, after Great Britain, Switzerland is the second European country to approve the vaccine and the first country in the world where approval is based on due process rather than emergency approval.

People 16 and older can get vaccinated with it, the message continues. Two doses are needed in 21 days for optimal protection. Seven days after the second administration, the protection of the vaccine should be 90 percent. This is demonstrated by the evaluations of company data carried out by Swissmedic.

Side effects comparable to flu vaccination

“After a meticulous examination of the available information, Swissmedic concludes that the Pfizer / Biontech Covid-19 vaccine is safe,” the authority continues. Its benefits outweigh the risks; the side effects documented so far are comparable to those of a flu vaccine. However, the safety of the vaccine will continue to be closely monitored and Swissmedic will take immediate action if necessary.

“In the next few days we will begin to vaccinate,” Health Minister Alain Berset said in a video posted on the Twitter news service. Particularly vulnerable people have the highest priority. Vaccination is free and not mandatory, but it is “highly recommended,” Berset said. In the afternoon, Swissmedic wants to provide more information about the vaccine at a press conference. Subsequently, representatives of the Federal Office of Public Health, the army pharmacy and the cantons also appear in front of the media to provide information on the delivery and distribution of vaccine doses.