European country that no longer recommends vaccination against COVID-19
Switzerland's Federal Office of Public Health has stopped recommending vaccination against COVID-19, including for people who are considered at high risk of COVID-19, Hotnews.ro reports.
According to the authorities "in principle, no vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended for spring/summer 2023". Nor are people designated at high risk recommended to be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to authorities.
Officials blame the change in attitude toward the coronavirus on the large number of citizens who have received a vaccine and enjoy natural immunity. People at high risk (those over 65 and pregnant women) can receive a vaccine after consulting their doctor. In such cases, the injection should be given at least six months after the last injection or at least six months after the last COVID-19 infection.
As the vaccines are no longer recommended, their costs are no longer covered by the government. And those who opt to get vaccinated will pay a fee. Those at high risk who receive a doctor-recommended vaccination will not have to pay, as the vaccination will be covered by health insurance. Switzerland's decision follows a series of similar decisions by other countries that have stopped recommending vaccination against COVID-19.
For example, England withdrew its booster dose recommendations for healthy people under 50, while Denmark stopped vaccinating the same population in 2022.
The World Health Organization said in March that countries should consider factors such as cost-effectiveness when boosting vaccination.
