Swiss upper house backs easier vaccinations and limits mandates

Switzerland’s Council of States has approved easier access to vaccinations in pharmacies and called for state measures during epidemics to be used cautiously, SRF reported on Tuesday. The decisions form part of a partial revision of the Epidemics Act intended to draw lessons from the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the revised law, pharmacists in all cantons would be allowed to administer vaccinations. The cantons would continue to decide which vaccines pharmacies may offer, meaning not every pharmacy would have to provide every vaccination.

The Federal Office of Public Health said pharmacies could strengthen vaccination coverage because they are widely available and established points of contact for health questions. Pharmacist Natalia Blarer said people could visit her pharmacy in Zurich without an appointment to seek advice or receive a vaccination, even without a vaccination record.

The Council of States also agreed to clarify the rules on compulsory vaccination. It wants such a requirement to be permitted only as a last resort, limited in time and not punishable by a fine. The Federal Office of Public Health said there was no compulsory vaccination.

The chamber also called for restraint on other measures, including school closures and requirements to work from home. Esther Friedli of the Swiss People’s Party said state measures should restrict economic and social life as little and for as short a time as possible.

The Council of States said the pandemic, particularly the effects of isolation on younger and older people, had shown the need for revised rules. The National Council is expected to take up the partial revision next.