Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Health experts recommend booster jab against Covid

Syringes in plastic cups
Only people with weakened immune systems and those of the 80+ age group should seek a Covid booster vaccination for the time being, Swiss health officials say. Keystone/Michael Buholzer

The Swiss health authorities have called on people over the age of 80 to update their vaccination against the Covid-19 virus.

A government advisory commission and the Federal Office of Public HealthExternal link issued a recommendation also urging people with a weakened immune system to have a further booster jab.

They added that the vaccination recommendation will be extended in autumn to cover the entire population.

Christoph Berger, president of the Federal Vaccination Commission told a news conference on Tuesday that the aim was to provide the booster vaccination at the right moment.

He said it made no sense to vaccinate people in August to protect them from a fresh wave of infections in December.

Under control

Céline Gardiol of the health office said the situation in Switzerland was under control, despite a steady rise in new infections. The number of people of Covid patients and deaths caused by the virus remained at a low level, she is quoted as saying.

The health office on Tuesday reported 46,025 confirmed new cases of Covid over the past seven days.

This is up from just over 33,100 cases – an increase of 39% – a week ago.

About 70% of the Swiss population have been fully vaccinated against the virus. Some 44% have also had a booster jab.

Gardiol said most people in Switzerland were still well protected against Covid as a result of a booster vaccination or because they recovered from an infection.

More
vial

More

Coronavirus: the latest numbers

This content was published on Here is an overview of the most important Swiss-related coronavirus data and graphs, which are updated automatically.

Read more: Coronavirus: the latest numbers

Most Read
Swiss Abroad

Most Discussed

News

Swiss researchers get closer to an effective malaria vaccine

More

Swiss researchers make progress on malaria vaccine

This content was published on A Swiss research team has come one step closer to developing an effective malaria vaccine. They have genetically modified the malaria parasite so that it cannot cause malaria.

Read more: Swiss researchers make progress on malaria vaccine
Locarno launches Peace Prize to mark its 100th anniversary

More

Peace Prize launched to mark centenary of Locarno Treaties

This content was published on To mark the 100th anniversary of the Locarno Treaties, the Swiss city of Locarno has launched a Peace Prize in collaboration with the Locarno Film Festival. This will be presented for the first time in August.

Read more: Peace Prize launched to mark centenary of Locarno Treaties
EPFL: a robot that changes shape to adapt to the terrain

More

Swiss-built robot changes shape to adapt to terrain

This content was published on Scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) have developed a bioinspired robot capable of changing shape according to its environment.

Read more: Swiss-built robot changes shape to adapt to terrain

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR