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Alain Berset at Wednesday’s press conference in Bern. Image: keystone
Did you miss the federal crown PK? The most important in 5 points
Health Minister Alain Berset responded to questions from the media today. Those were the most important achievements.
No more measures planned
The epidemiological situation remains tense at a high levelHealth Minister Berset told federal media on Wednesday. The challenge for the health system, especially hospitals, remains high. Some facilities are at the limit. The increase in numbers is slowing down.
The reproduction rate must drop well below 1 before the situation can relax. “Right now we are about 100 people infecting 100 people,” Berset said. He had the impression that the development of the last few days was “encouraging”, “but not much more.” Currently no further measures are plannedsaid the Minister of Health.
Berset: “No further measures are planned at the moment.” Video: SRF
Federal Council increases credit for vaccine
The Federal Council has modified the loan for the acquisition of a Covid-19 vaccine 100 to 400 million francsas Berset announced.
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The amount comes from Covid-19 loans that have already been approved, which are included in the army’s budget, Berset said. It is not yet possible to say with certainty which companies or which vaccines will ultimately prevail and be available to the Swiss population.
The federal government has several manufacturers
The Federal Council relies on several manufacturers for the vaccine. There is a “binding reservation” with the German company Biontech and the pharmaceutical company PfizerBerset said. They recently announced that their vaccine offered more than 90 percent protection.
The federal government has already signed contracts with two other manufacturers. In August, Switzerland obtained 4.5 million doses of vaccine. Modern. A contract with the pharmaceutical company arrived in mid-October. Astrazeneca added for the delivery of up to 5.3 million cans.
In addition, there is participation in the international initiative Covax, a global purchasing program to purchase Covid-19 vaccines for up to 20 percent of the population. According to the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG), this would “ideally” equal 3.2 million additional doses of vaccine.
Additionally, the federal government secured an immunotherapeutic from Molecular Partners for the treatment of Covid-19 infections in the summer. In certain cases, the drug could also be administered prophylactically to protect against infection, writes the BAG.
The first vaccines probably in the first half of 2021
Berset stressed that it is not yet possible to say when a vaccine will be available. He hopes very much that this will be the case next year. The FOPH assumes, however, that the first vaccinations could be carried out in Switzerland in the first half of 2021.
The Federal Council is closely monitoring vaccine development. Logistically it will be a great challenge. For example, such vaccines would have to be stored at very, very low temperatures. Also, it takes multiple doses for a vaccine, Berset said.
No compulsory vaccination
There would be no mandatory vaccination, Berset said. The BAG assumes that risk groups would be vaccinated, as was said at the press conference. Everyone should be able to decide for themselves, according to the Federal Council. (cma / sda)
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Video: Watson / Knackeboul, Madeleine Sigrist, Emily Engkent
