Thread by @CoronaEnglish

(Thread)
Coronavirus Press Conference with @alain_berset, 3.2.2021.
#CoronaInfoCH #Switzerland #Schweiz

Swiss government has negotiated new vaccination contracts with 3 manufacturers for 17 million doses. Among others, new vaccines from Curevac, Novavax and other doses from Moderna have been added. #CoronaInfoCH

Berset: "We are experiencing a pandemic within the pandemic and that is causing difficulties." The figures are comparable to those at the beginning of Oct. – if only there wasn't the mutation, which is up to 50 percent more contagious, says Berset.

Berset talks about the mutations, including the South African: “We have to watch the numbers closely. We have signs that the number of cases is increasing again because of the mutations. In various cantons, the R-value has risen again above 1.

Berset on the test policy: “It remains important that we test a lot. This is the only way we can make sure we keep an eye on the pandemic. Mass testing is also helpful."

«We can see that the mutations double every week on a case-by-case basis», says Alain Berset.

Berset: "Curevac will deliver 5 million vaccine doses in the second trimester, we have signed a contract". Of course, as with any vaccine, Swissmedic must first grant approval.

A contract for a further 6 million doses is signed with Moderna. "We have to be well prepared for the vaccination strategy, it's not like the vaccination is over at some point and we can go on vacation", says Berset.

Berset is confident that anyone who wants to get vaccinated will be able to be so by the summer.

Berset: «We are in a dilemma. The numbers are developing well. But the problem are the mutations: They are much more contagious. This can be seen, for example, in the fact that the R value has risen above 1 in various cantons. The situation is very unstable.»

From April / May, Curevac will be available with 5 million doses, plus 6 million doses from Moderna, Berset repeats.

Do we need further measures?
– Berset: “We don't know how it will develop. We only know that the situation is more difficult than it was in December, when we decided on the measures. At that time we had no knowledge of the mutations...

«If the mutation case numbers continue to double every week, then we have to see what we do.», says Berset.

New Contracts: Why Not Johnson and Johnson?
BAG answers: “We communicate the concluded contracts. We also have a preliminary contract with Novavax. We are in contact with other manufacturers. As long as no contracts have been concluded, we do not communicate."

Why so much vaccine? 30 million is more than we need?
– Kronig (BAG): «We continue to procure because we want to minimize the risk. We want to be armed against fluctuations and difficulties. So we will reach our destination by summer»

Will schools be closed?
Berset: «We don't see that as a possibility at the moment. It's up to the cantons - and they do their job well. Second point: The mutations change children's susceptibility to infection.»

Mathys, BAG: «There are outbreaks with the new variant in schools, that's true. We now know that children can be carriers and can pass the virus on. It can be incredibly fast. Now we have to analyze and see what contribution schools can make in the fight.»

Will the vaccination goal be achieved?
Berset: «Yes, we are optimistic. By summer everyone who wants, will be able to get vaccinated.»

When is Novavax coming?
Berset: “Deliveries of the vaccinations will come from April to June. Of course, an approval by Swissmedic needs to be provided before a rollout.»

When is Novavax coming?
Kronig, BAG: «Novavax is planned for the second quarter and will take several months. That then drags on for months. Moderna comes with a million from August, one from September, the rest later and dynamically.»

Will measures be eased?
Berset «We cannot assume that we can loosen it up a lot. On February 17th we will take the next step. We have not yet decided how and if we will ease the measures."

Will we buy Sputnik, the Russian vaccine?
Berset: «Since last year we have been talking about which vaccines we buy. In my opinion, Sputnik has never been shortlisted.»

How much money was spent on vaccine?
Kronig: “We do not comment on actual prices we agreed with the producers. We started at 309 million francs. Thanks to a commitment loan, we now have funds of the amount of 800 million CHF"

End of the press conference. Thanks for following!