The upcoming flu season is right around the corner, and health authorities deem it more important than ever to protect yourself against it, with the threat of influenza, coronavirus infections (Covid-19), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as other respiratory viruses, surging at the same time. Swiss health officials are considering people over age 65, pregnant women or women with newborns, premature infants, and people with certain chronic diseases to be at high risk and are recommending that they should get vaccinated, as are people who at home or at work are in frequent contact with people in the high-risk groups (eg, nursing staff, teachers).

The annual flu vaccination provides good protection from infection with the influenza virus and the disease. It not only protects the vaccinated person, it also protects those around them in their private lives and at work—including those who can’t have the vaccination themselves.

Flu vaccines reduce the risk of catching the flu, but they don’t protect against COVID-19 or against other respiratory viruses common in the winter months (cold viruses, RSV). However, flu vaccination can be done at the same time as, before, or after a Covid-19 vaccination.

The flu vaccination period lasts from mid-October until the start of the flu wave, which in Switzerland usually lasts from about December to March. After vaccination, the body’s immune system takes around two weeks to build up full immunity against the influenza virus.

If you are unsure if you should get vaccinated against the flu, speak to your doctor or take a simple online test (German, French, or Italian) at https://www.impfen-schweiz.ch/de/grippeimpfcheck.

In addition, from autumn 2024 onwards, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended in autumn/winter for persons at an increased risk of developing a severe case of the illness (including people from age 65, pregnant persons, people with certain pre-existing conditions, and people with Down’s syndrome). COVID-19 vaccination is not recommended for any other persons. 

RSV infection can be particularly harmful for kids under age 1. Vaccination of the mother during pregnancy or administration of antibodies to newborns can protect against this risk. In adults, vaccination for RSV is recommended for older people from age 75 and people from age 60 with certain pre-existing conditions, with a weakened immune system, or living in care homes.

In Switzerland, for the first time this year, they are organizing a “Nationale Impfwoche” (national vaccination week) instead of a single “Nationaler Grippeimpftag” (national flu vaccination day). During the week from Monday, November 10 to Saturday, November 15, vaccinations for flu, Covid-19, and RSV will be offered in various physician offices and pharmacies, where you can get the shots also on a drop-in basis. You can find the address of participating practices near you at https://khm-cmpr.ch/adressen-von-impfpraxen/. Many “Apotheken” (pharmacies) in the region also offer flu and Covid-19 vaccinations on a drop-in basis; look for a sign in their window or check out the list of participating pharmacies at https://ihre-apotheke.ch/de/pharmago?facets=services:56,services:48.

If you work at a larger company, you may also be able to get vaccinated directly at your workplace; check with your human resources department for availability and dates.

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