[ad_1]
The press conference is over
Alain Berset has finished the press conference. Thanks for your attention. We will keep you updated on our ticker.
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 rejects the journalist’s comparison to flu vaccination, in which only about one in five people is vaccinated. Berset is convinced that more people will be vaccinated here. 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 we are 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. But the experts cannot answer that at this point.
First, risk groups should be able to get vaccinated
A journalist asks who can get vaccinated first. Stefan Kuster from BAG says: “First of all, it will probably be the risk groups and their environment.” The exact strategy can only be determined when the vaccines and the effect are safe.
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.
Guaranteed access to several million vaccines
So far, the federal government has signed contracts with two vaccine manufacturers. At Moderna, access to 4.5 million doses of vaccines has been secured. He agreed with the British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and the Swedish government to administer up to 5.3 million doses of vaccines.
In addition, there is participation in the international initiative COVAX, a global purchasing program to acquire Covid-19 vaccines for up to 20 percent of the population. Ideally, this would equal 3.2 million additional doses of vaccine.
Hope for next year
It is not yet possible to say when a vaccine will be available. The Federal Office of Public Health assumes that the first vaccinations can be carried out in Switzerland in the first half of 2021.
No compulsory vaccination
Berset emphasizes again that there will be no mandatory vaccination. Everyone should be able to decide for themselves, according to the Federal Council. However, the Federal Council hopes that vaccination will alleviate the situation. Get ready, says Berset. Study the documents so that, if available, you can enter the Swiss market as soon as possible.
Berset: “The prospects are really good”
The Federal Council has contact with various manufacturers. “We want to drive on multiple tracks,” says Berset. “The prospects are really good,” says Berest in response to Pfizer’s announcement: Switzerland has a binding reservation. There are still some things to be clarified regarding the transport and storage of the vaccine. That’s why you always have to cool it down.
Berset: “No further measures are planned”
Alain Berset says that no further measures are currently planned. However, for the situation to truly relax and, if necessary, to speak of relaxation, the R-value must fall well below one. This value is currently hovering around one. Everyone must continue to comply with the hygiene rules.
Berset: “We have done everything possible”
Alain Berset says that the Federal Council is doing everything possible to provide Switzerland with a possible vaccine. That is why today 100 million more have been released for it. The 100 million are part of the Corona loan.
