The vaccination center in Basel will receive a boost in agreements on Monday. As of today, the second booster vaccination is free for the general public from the age of 16. 800 people from Basel do not need to be asked twice and have made an appointment for the first day of vaccination.
However, the majority of the population is in no rush to roll up their sleeves for another Covid vaccination. Aside from the initial rush, the demand for the second booster is limited. In Basel-Stadt, only 3,100 people have registered for the booster vaccination at the cantonal vaccination center, which corresponds to 1.5 percent of the population.
Low demand also in Lucerne and Aargau
In Lucerne, for example, the demand for boosters is just as modest at the moment. In the central Swiss canton, 5,500 people have so far made an appointment at one of the three vaccination centers, the health and social service announced on request. There are also vaccinations at the cantonal hospital and at pharmacies and general practices, which the canton does not have an overview of.
So far 11,600 appointments have been made in Aargau for the cantonal vaccination centers. The canton of Zurich, where you have been able to arrange a booster appointment since Saturday, could not provide information about the vaccination demand on Monday.
So far, 2,300 appointments have been booked at the cantonal vaccination center in Wallis. In the first week, these were 84 percent occupied, the canton writes. There is – still – a sharp drop in demand compared to the first booster vaccination.
Berner has to wait
While in most cantons those who want boosters can be revaccinated at very short notice due to low demand, many Bernese have to be patient. Bern is the only canton that has announced that it will vaccinate in two phases: first the over-65s and other at-risk persons, and only later the rest of the population.
That’s why only about a quarter of people in Bern got a text last week that they can sign up for the second booster. The others have to wait until mid-November, at least for an appointment at the vaccination center. It is possible to have yourself vaccinated in advance at your own initiative at a pharmacy or at your general practitioner.
14,000 free appointments in Bern
Gundekar Giebel, spokesman for the health department of Bern, justifies the procedure with the optimal use of vaccination capabilities. Those people for whom the booster was primarily recommended by the Federal Public Service of Public Health (BAG) should be able to get a booster vaccination soon.
Depending on how many seniors and other risk groups want to be vaccinated, it is also possible that the rest of the population will be next. About 21,000 people have signed up for the second booster so far, says Giebel. 14,000 appointments can be booked immediately and new appointments are constantly being added.