Coronavirus vaccine study reportedly stalled for lack of cash
Six Swiss hospitals are ready for a first big Covid-19 vaccine study but it can’t start for lack of money, writes a Sunday newspaper.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/jc
There is a shortfall of CHF8 million, according to the NZZ am Sonntag. An application for partial funding of the project was submitted to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) four weeks ago, but the request has so far gone unanswered, it says. “There are no plans at present to finance studies on a Covid-19 vaccine,” the FOPH told the paper.
NZZ am Sonntag says Switzerland’s federal government is also behind in other areas related to the vaccine. While several countries, including the EU and US, have already reserved large quantities of the future vaccines for their populations, Switzerland has not yet concluded any contracts with companies developing them, it writes.
Expert coronavirus warning
Meanwhile Martin Ackermann, new head of the federal government’s Covid-19 working group, warns in the SonntagsZeitung that Switzerland is on the verge of an exponential increase in the number of new coronavirus infections.
He tells the Sunday paper there is little room to relax current restrictive measures to fight the virus and they should even be stepped up. “In my opinion, the size of public events permitted should now be reduced to 100 participants,” says Ackermann, a microbiology expert at the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ).
Since June 22, public and private events of up to 1,000 people have been permitted in Switzerland on condition that contact tracing is guaranteed. Larger events are still banned. The recommended safe distance between people was reduced from two metres to 1.5 metres. Some cantons, including Basel and Ticino, have introduced stricter restrictions on gatherings than in the rest of the country.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Switzerland to host Ukraine mine action conference in October
This content was published on
Together with Ukraine, Switzerland is organising the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024) in Lausanne on October 17 and 18.
Switzerland revises pension expenditure downwards by billions
This content was published on
The Swiss government has corrected downwards the projected expenditure on old-age and survivor insurance in 2033 by CHF2.5 billion ($2.66 billion).
Excess mortality rate post-Covid could persist until 2033
This content was published on
According to a report by reinsurer Swiss Re, many countries are still experiencing excess mortality following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Swiss Army ends clean-up operation in storm-hit Maggia Valley
This content was published on
The Swiss Armed Forces completed 76 flight hours during the clean-up operation following the storm in the Maggia Valley in Ticino at the end of June.
Swiss cruise ship stranded on Danube River after heavy rains
This content was published on
Passengers on a Swiss river-cruise ship stranded on the Danube following heavy rainfall are still unable to disembark in Vienna due to flooding.
Golden eagles get better at flying over time, say Swiss researchers
This content was published on
Golden eagles perfect their flight as they age and learn to make better use of air currents, says a new study co-produced by Swiss researchers.
This content was published on
Public libraries in Switzerland recorded 46.3 million admissions last year, 7.4 million more than in 2022, says the Federal Statistical Office.
Swiss conservative party seeks referendum against Eurovision contest
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Democratic Union is launching a referendum to prevent the Eurovision Song Contest from taking place in Basel next year.
Switzerland nabs 15 medals at WorldSkills championship
This content was published on
Swiss professionals have won 15 medals at the WorldSkills Championships in Lyon, France for the best finish by a European nation.
One dead, 2 children seriously injured after car crashes into Geneva sports centre
This content was published on
An 80-year-old driver crashed into several children aged around ten on Saturday after losing control of her vehicle in Geneva, before succumbing to her injuries.
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.
Read more
More
Covid-19 vaccine: when, and for whom?
This content was published on
It’s the question we all want an answer to: when will there be a vaccine against Covid-19? And how is fair access being negotiated?
Government earmarks CHF300 million to secure Covid-19 vaccine
This content was published on
The Swiss government is setting aside funds to procure enough doses of a Covid-19 vaccine for the country’s 8.6 million population.
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.