Switzerland refrains from vaccination vouchers – Switzerland
BERN – The Swiss Federal Council is going on the vaccination offensive: With a maximum of almost one hundred million francs, it will ensure that the vaccination rate increases faster. However, the proposed 50-franc voucher for people who motivate others to vaccinate is refrained from. Health Minister Alain Berset will provide live information in a press conference at 3:30 p.m.
You can follow the press conference live here:
The consultation showed that. Numerous cantons rejected a 50-franc reward for vaccination motivators, wrote the Federal Council on its decision on Wednesday. The decision to vaccinate should not be made through additional pressure or monetary incentives, but out of health considerations and solidarity, is the tenor of the cantons.
Health Minister Alain Berset himself described the idea of the reward two weeks ago as “unconventional”. Researchers said it is possible that vaccination rates could increase with these targeted vaccination vouchers. However, evidence is difficult to prove.
Far from the vaccination goal
Even without vouchers, the vaccination offensive decided by the Federal Council consists of several pillars: a national vaccination week from November 8th to 14th, an increase in mobile advice and vaccination centers for low-threshold access to vaccination and a new advice service with trained people for individual conversations. Marked undecided during several informed and moved to a single week and if possible a vaccination decision, as the Federal Council writes. “Vaccination remains the best way to get out of the current crisis.”
The vaccination rate in Switzerland is still too low for the protective measures to be lifted. According to current federal data, a good 71 of the adults are currently fully vaccinated. So that the necessary measures such as the extended obligation could be lifted, according to the Federal Council, a rate of 80 percent for 18 to 65-year-olds and 93 percent for over 65-year-olds.
Further procedures
Compared to the consultation draft two years ago, the Federal Council made only a few changes in addition to waiving the 50-franc vouchers. In short, it gives the cantons more leeway in implementing the vaccination offensive, as it does not make any numerical specifications for vaccination vehicles and advisors. The Federal Council generally calls on the cantons, communes and other partners to organize information events or local events to inform the population.
The state government will write a letter to the population to emphasize the importance of vaccination. In addition, the number of mobile advice and vaccination centers is to be increased significantly, as the Federal Council writes. There are currently around fifty such offers.
Finally, counselors should help people willing to vaccinate to find a vaccination center, to contact a doctor or to use a translator.
A worthwhile investment
For the federal government, the maximum vaccination offensive will result in costs of 96.2 million francs, as the message says. Compared with the cost of the desired tests of around 50 million francs per week, this investment is sustainable. On average, one hospitalization per 100 vaccinations and one occupancy in the intensive care unit per 250 vaccinations can be avoided.
In addition, by avoiding business closures, further costs could be saved. In the past few days, the cantons have shown themselves ready to intensify their vaccination efforts again. However, they pointed out to the federal government that they lacked skilled workers. This deficiency cannot simply be remedied with financial support from the federal government, it has been said on various occasions.
Liechtenstein is currently refraining from any possible incentives
In Liechtenstein, no financial incentives are currently planned, the Ministry of Society informs on Friday at von Volksblatt.li: “The free vaccination to protect against infection and a severe course as well as to obtain a Covid-19 certificate that is valid for at least one year should speak for themselves. ” But the government wants to reach even more people, especially younger ones, with an advertising and social media campaign.