Swiss authorities have discontinued advocating COVID-19 immunization, even for persons who have been identified as being at high risk from COVID-19.
According to Switzerland's Federal Ministry of Public Health, "no COVID-19 vaccine is advised for spring/summer 2023." Authorities further stated that anyone classified as high risk should not receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
They linked the shift to the number of citizens who got a vaccination, recovered from COVID-19, or both received a vaccine and benefit from post-recovery immunity.
“Nearly everyone in Switzerland has been vaccinated and/or contracted and recovered from COVID-19. Their immune system has therefore been exposed to the coronavirus. In spring/summer 2023, the virus will likely circulate less. The current virus variants also cause rather mild illness,” Swiss health officials said.
According to seroprevalence statistics from mid-2022, more than 98 percent of the Swiss population had antibodies against the COVID-19 virus, suggesting immunity from past infection, vaccination, or both.
The COVID-19 virus's Omicron form, which began circulating over the world in late 2021, generates fewer severe illnesses than its predecessor, Delta. Moreover, the existing COVID-19 vaccines have been performing progressively poorly against Omicron and its subvariants, giving little or no protection against infection and rapidly fading protection against severe illness.
Swiss officials acknowledged the short-lived protection, noting that persons classified as at risk for COVID-19 can still obtain a vaccine after consulting with their doctor, despite the absence of guidance. Individuals at high risk include those 65 and older, as well as pregnant women.
If a doctor prescribes a vaccination, it should be administered at least six months after the last dose or at least six months after the last known COVID-19 infection. The immunizations are no longer funded by the government since they are no longer recommended. They will instead have to pay a charge to be vaccinated.
Individuals who have not been assessed to be at high risk of COVID-19 can also acquire a COVID-19 vaccination, but they will have to pay a price because they are receiving an unrecommended dose, according to officials. Individuals at high risk who obtain a doctor-recommended immunization will not be charged since the vaccination will be covered by health insurance.
Vaccination may be recommended again in the fall of 2023, according to health experts. Switzerland joins a number of other nations in discontinuing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for the general public. For example, England dropped booster advice for healthy persons under the age of 50, whereas Denmark ceased vaccinating the same cohort in 2022.
In March, the World Health Organization stated that nations should examine aspects such as cost-effectiveness when increasing particular groups, especially healthy youngsters, given the current "low burden of disease."
Although while studies have proven that the naturally immune enjoy significant levels of protection, certain nations, like the United States, continue to recommend a main series for all unvaccinated people.
