Vaccination week kicks off today. It’s an effort by the government to boost Switzerland’s relatively low vaccination rate.
Around 73% have now been jabbed – that’s a good 10% below many other European countries.
Cantons have been able to claim for additional federal funding for their drives. Bern is making almost CHF 100m available – but only around CHF 18m has been claimed.
It’s expected more money will be requested this week.
Several different initiatives are underway. A series of free concerts by Swiss bands are being held across the country. A certificate won’t be needed to attend and vaccination doses will be available on site.
In Geneva, anyone getting jabbed will be entered into a raffle for prizes – such as being able to drive an armoured vehicle at the airport.
A cross border centre will be opened at the particle physics laboratory CERN.
In Zurich a vaccination village will be running at the main train station. Free coffee and cakes will be offered.
In the mountain canton of Appenzell Outer-Rhoden – which has one of the lowest rates in the country – a hypnotist will be on hand to help those scared of needles.
The drive will also be targeting one major section of the population that’s falling below the average vaccination rate – foreign nationals. Vaccination centres in the cities will have multilingual experts on hand to help with information.
G7 underway in Evian
Parliament wants funding details on nuclear power
Police criticised after G7 protests
Bern clears path for Geneva for more parental leave
Geneva communes fight swimsuit law
Online shopping driving many to debt
