[ad_1]
Switzerland has its first approved vaccine against Covid-19. It is the active ingredient of the American company Pfizer and the German company Biontech, as announced by Swissmedic in the morning.
Now things are happening in rapid succession. Vaccination for risk groups in Switzerland will begin on January 4, 2021. Even this month, however, particularly vulnerable people (eg in health institutions) can be vaccinated. An ambitious plan, as SRF science editor Thomas Häusler explains.
Thomas Häusler
Science editor
SRF News: There are reports from the US and Britain that people have also reacted allergic to the vaccine from Pfizer and Biontech. Is it still safe to get vaccinated?
Thomas Häusler: Yes, this vaccine has been tested very carefully. In several countries, regulatory authorities have scrutinized very carefully.
Vaccination centers in Switzerland will observe all vaccinated for 15 minutes.
There have been a total of four reports of people allergic to the vaccine. They were all treated, they are fine. Vaccination centers in Switzerland are aware of these incidents. You will observe all those vaccinated for 15 minutes. They also have medication on hand to treat them in case something happens. But it must be said that these cases are very rare and are now being investigated more closely.
The vaccine developed quickly and approval came faster than expected. Are the cantons ready to start the great vaccination offensive now?
In any case, preparations are in full swing. The army is primarily responsible for storage and distribution. The cantons are now setting up their vaccination centers and mobile vaccination teams, which will later also go to nursing homes, for example.
How fast you can actually vaccinate 70,000 people a day, how the federal government wants it, has to do with that. The Pfizer / Biontech vaccine is quite demanding to use, which still poses a number of challenges.
The interview was conducted by Claudio Spescha.
