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Uri also closes ski areas
In consultation with the cantons of central Switzerland, the canton of Uri has also decided not to grant ski resorts a permit for the operation of ski facilities from December 22 to 29, 2020. The aim is to reduce the risk of accidents and therefore an even greater burden on the healthcare system.
Chairlifts and chair lifts cannot be opened. Also, ski or toboggan runs cannot be prepared. However, the lanes can remain open. The population should continue to have walking trails and cross-country ski trails for outdoor exercise.
“Point de Presse” finished by BAG
The “Point de Presse” of the BAG, the army pharmacy and the cantons has come to an end. Thank you for your attention and, of course, we will keep you informed.
Do you make up for bad news with good news?
The measures have been tightened. Want to make up for this bad news with good news by reporting a vaccine approval? Asks a journalist. BAG director Lévy says no with a smile. That is a coincidence, it just shows that for them, for those responsible, the weekend has become a waste of time.
250,000 cans per month – why is it not working anymore?
A journalist asks if he cannot handle more than 250,000 cans a month. One million people would not be vaccinated in six months.
Lévy stresses that this is not a logistical problem, but a production issue. A second active ingredient is supposed to be approved soon.
Jordi adds that Switzerland does not have an “exclusive right” over vaccines. The company must also consider other countries. However, Switzerland is very well positioned in terms of acquisitions.
Two million vulnerable people
How big are the deliveries? Aeschbach says they are counting on 107,000 doses of vaccination in the next few days and, as of January, 250,000 doses of vaccine per month. That is not yet confirmed, but is based on verbal agreements with Biontech and Pfizer.
Virginie Masserey, head of the Infection Control Section at FOPH, also states that around two million people belong to the vulnerable group in Switzerland, of which around 1.6 million are older people who should be vaccinated as a priority.
Have they taken the cantons by surprise?
A journalist asks if the cantons have been taken by surprise. Anne Lévy, director of BAG, admits: “Yes. But that’s good news. It is good that it starts in December. At the federal, military and BAG levels, we were able to receive deliveries in December. And the cantons are therefore flexible. “
Michael Jordi, secretary general of the Conference of Health Directors, picks up the thread. “I also call on the media to be lenient here.” It is a great challenge for everyone involved to “move the seesaw at a time when everyone is already working in the red.”
Quarantine is still mandatory
Question from a journalist: What about quarantine for vaccinated people? Lévy emphasizes that the quarantine will continue to be necessary because vaccinated people could transmit the virus.
Can services be linked to mandatory vaccination?
Can services be refused if someone is not vaccinated? Martin Dumermuth, director of the Federal Office of Justice, says a distinction must be made between who provides services: the state or the private sector. Basic rights such as the duty of equal treatment must be respected with the State. The state needs a legal authorization if it wants to differentiate between the provision of services. The issue is more delicate with individuals. Since private autonomy is legally protected.
The refusal must not lead to a violation of the personality. In terms of data protection, health data is especially sensitive data. It could be considered a violation of personality if the service is only provided when one has to disclose health data.
“We were surprised by the pace of approval and delivery”
Michael Jordi, secretary general of the Conference of Health Directors, assumes: “If there is one thing we had to learn in the pandemic, it is to be patient. So we will not be able to vaccinate everyone who wants to be vaccinated from the beginning. “The vaccine is a kind of Christmas gift. However, it is a bit like receiving a receipt at Christmas that can only be redeemed later.
Vaccination will be staggered according to federal vaccination priorities, but also based on the staggered delivery of the vaccine. The first doses of vaccine would be delivered to Switzerland in the next few days, stored in the army pharmacy and distributed by the cantons after placing an order. “To be honest, we were surprised by the speed of approval and delivery.” It is planned: As of January 4, vaccination will begin according to the federal vaccination strategy.
“We the army are ready!”
The military wants to help ensure that the population can be vaccinated. Infrastructure and technical preparations by the army have been completed, says Colonel Daniel Aeschbach from the army pharmacy. The training of its own staff has been completed and the cantons are now being supported. “The close agreements with the cantons will be maintained until the vaccination campaign is completed. We the army are ready! “Aeschbach said.
The camps are set up in such a way that large amounts of vaccination doses can be accommodated. They are ready to deliver the ordered vaccination doses to the cantons. The cantons will also receive the necessary vaccine material. A high level of vaccine protection is guaranteed in all phases of logistics.
Healthy people are vaccinated in the course of spring through summer at the latest
Inaugurated by the director of BAG, Anne Lévy. “The approval is really very good news. With this vaccine, a safe and effective vaccine is available. “People at risk can still get vaccinated in December.
How are you doing now? The vaccination commission would make recommendations. When the vaccination doses arrive, the vaccination can begin. The framework of who will be vaccinated in first, second and third priority is established in the national vaccination strategy, which has already been published.
The 15 million doses of vaccines ordered arrive staggered, so it is important to protect the most vulnerable people initially and then maintain the health system with vaccines for health personnel. The goal must be to reduce the number of serious diseases and reduce the number of deaths.
All other people who did not belong to three priority groups could be vaccinated no later than the course of spring to summer.
BAG reports on the national distribution of the vaccine
We welcome you to the “Point de Presse” of the BAG in the press center of the Federal Palace in Bern. The FOPH, the army pharmacy and the cantons present their plan according to which the first vaccine approved in the country will be delivered and distributed.
St. Gallen closes ski areas
Central Switzerland and Zurich are now also followed by the cantons of Eastern Switzerland: after Appenzell Innerrhoden, the St. Gallen government decided on Saturday not to grant any more permits for the ski areas from December 22.
The epidemiological situation no longer allows operation and sufficient capacity in hospitals cannot be guaranteed, St. Gallen Health Director Bruno Damann told the media.
The ski lifts will no longer be able to transport guests from next Tuesday; This also applies to touring riders, winter hikers, and toboggan enthusiasts.
Swissmedic press conference ended – BAG will provide information shortly
Swissmedic’s “Point de Presse” has ended. The next press conference will take place at 2.15 pm.: The FOPH, the army pharmacy and the cantons will provide information on the delivery and distribution work of the first vaccine available in Switzerland.
Is the vaccine already in Switzerland?
Does a journalist want to know if the vaccine is physically in Switzerland? Girard: “As far as I know, not yet.” But since last Friday the vaccine could be imported to Switzerland. The next federal press conference could possibly provide more information on this, Girard says.
This ends the Swissmedic press release.
First approval worldwide on a proper procedure – what does that mean to you?
A journalist asks what it means for Swissmedic to have obtained the first authorization in an orderly process.
Swissmedic director Bruhin responds: “Of course, we are a bit proud of it, although I am particularly proud of our employees. Many people worked here. Internally and externally. It was a concerted action that started in the spring and had to be sustained. “And it could be facing the next approval soon, Bruhin says.
Safety without long-term studies?
Why can safety be guaranteed without long-term studies? Bolte explains that more findings are expected from the ongoing study. At the same time, there are new studies. After approval, there are also studies that need to be done that are primarily focused on safety. The work doesn’t stop, says Bolte.
Why has the process suddenly sped up so much?
Director Bruhin answers the question why approval suddenly came so quickly. Above all, the process was sped up by the fact that in the end a lot of important data was received, a lot of crucial data from clinical studies. “We have always said that we need to have enough data before we can make a decision. That sped up towards the end. “
What can the active ingredient do and what not?
Bolte explains that vaccination is primarily a protection for those vaccinated. It can be cautiously concluded that this should also prevent transmission. But one still cannot express oneself with enough support. “There is data available for a protective effect that lasts for more than two months. But we also know from the previous phases of the study that the protection of the vaccine seems to last longer, we have to be attentive to that. “
Have you tried the vaccine on yourself?
A journalist asked Swissmedic officials if they had tested the vaccine on themselves. Claus Bolte says no, but then refers to an insider expert. I would have noticed that there were vaccines that felt like a mosquito bite. Others would feel like a bee sting. The vast majority will probably be an intermediate experience.
