Swiss pharmacies face Covid-19 vaccine shortages amid summer wave

Switzerland is currently experiencing a summer wave of Covid-19. Although the current variants are not particularly severe, some people still wish to get vaccinated. However, Swiss pharmacies and doctors’ surgeries are facing vaccine shortages. Responsibility for Covid-19 vaccination has just shifted. Until now, it was the Confederation that managed it: they ordered the vaccines and covered part of the costs. Since July 1, Covid-19 vaccines have been subject to market forces. This means doctors’ surgeries and pharmacies now have to order the doses directly for their patients. As Swiss newspaper 20 Minutes also reported, vaccines are in short supply on the shelves. Vaccines heading for the bin Healthcare professionals can’t rely on the existing vaccine stock. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has stated that there's no legal basis for using the doses bought by the Confederation. It has therefore asked doctors and pharmacies to dispose of any doses still in their possession.