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Anyone who wants to get vaccinated against the coronavirus needs patience. Now, a vaccination date calculator from a private company determines an approximate period. Federal data serve as the basis.
A new online tool calculates the waiting time until vaccination (vaccination center, Messe Zurich).
Corona vaccination does not exempt you from wearing a mask and keeping your distance. But in most cases it protects against diseases. With the vaccination, the holidays abroad are approaching again. The EU emphasizes that the digital vaccination certificate can also be used to store Covid diseases and negative test results. But it remains to be seen whether, in practice, member states will not rely primarily on vaccination evidence. The digital vaccination certificate based on the Israel model should be ready before the summer holidays.
In Switzerland, according to the latest surveys, 68 percent of the population would like to be vaccinated. Many will ask: when is my turn? Will I get a vaccination before summer break? The federal government is sticking to its goal of being able to vaccinate all adults who wish to vaccinate by the end of June. However, given the delays in deliveries and the slowness of vaccination in the cantons, there are justified doubts that the objective will be achieved.
Careful estimates
If you want to know more about your vaccination appointment, a free online calculator is available from Monday. Estimate where someone is in the queue for a corona vaccination. And it gives the approximate waiting time. Because this is not an exact science, the computer works with bandwidths. “We tend to do our calculations too cautiously rather than being too optimistic,” says Bogna Szyk, who developed the calculator together with a team: “We don’t want to disappoint anyone.”
To determine the vaccination date, the age, previous illnesses and occupation must be indicated. Based on this information, the computer estimates the approximate date. For example, a 42-year-old person with no prior illnesses can expect the first vaccination between the beginning of May and the end of June. “Of course, that’s not a guarantee, just the best estimate at this time,” says Szyk.
She recommends having the appointment calculated twice. Once after the federal vaccination target, which is a high vaccination rate. And once with the actual vaccination rate, which is currently much lower. Actually, the date is somewhere between the two extremes, says the developer. The actual vaccination rate takes into account data from the last seven days and is updated twice a week with new figures from the Federal Office of Public Health.
Vaccination date calculators are available in 33 countries
Szyk says the estimates are relatively reliable. This was demonstrated by the comments from 33 countries for which your company has already developed this type of computer. They first connected in December in the UK. There is great interest: the website has had around 15 million visits to date. It was followed by Germany, France, Canada, Australia and other countries.
The computer in Switzerland is based on the federal government’s Covid vaccination strategy. First, it differentiates between the four groups that are vaccinated as a priority. This broadly includes people 65 and older and people with chronic illnesses. Preference is also given to employees who care for patients or people who are particularly at risk. Another important factor is the speed of the vaccines. You can choose between the FOPH vaccination plan, the actual vaccination rate, or enter a value yourself. Another variable is the willingness to vaccinate, which is continually updated from surveys.
Data from the cantons will arrive soon
According to Szyk, the vaccination date calculator is constantly being refined. Therefore, he recommends that users check back a few weeks later. In the coming days, the computer will be supplemented with data from the cantons. In view of the differences in vaccination speed, where you live plays an important role in the appointment. The calculator is available in German and French.
Developer Szyk works for Krakow-based Polish startup Omni Calculator. The 33-employee company specializes in relief programs. Offers online tools in health, math, finance, and physics. Online programs are funded by advertising.
