What to know about COVID-19 this winter as cases in Switzerland start to rise

While the coronavirus pandemic may be a distant memory, the coronavirus is here to stay. Cases have been on the rise recently, so let’s take a look at which variants are circulating and who can get a free vaccine in Switzerland ahead of winter. 

Coronavirus variants circulating this autumn and winter

Every year since 2020, as winter approaches, coronavirus cases start to rise. Since the beginning of September, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) in Switzerland has seen a jump in the number of reported cases - a trend also recorded more widely in Europe and the US.

This year, three coronavirus variants are circulating: XFG Stratus, Nimbus and Cicada. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated these variants as low risk. 

As long as they are still in date, older at-home coronavirus tests can still detect all three strains. You can buy new tests at most pharmacies, such as Amavita, or contact your doctor.

Those developing XFG Stratus report fever, cough, headaches, a sore throat and even diarrhoea, while those with the Nimbus and Cicada strains report fewer symptoms, mainly a sore throat. The XFG Stratus strain, however, spreads much faster.

Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine in Switzerland in 2026?

The FOPH recommends that people considered at risk of developing a severe case of coronavirus get vaccinated, including people aged 65 and over, people aged 16 and over with pre-existing conditions and pregnant women.

The recommended time to get vaccinated is between October and December. Basic health insurance plans will most likely cover COVID-19 vaccines for those at risk, but check with your provider to make sure. 

Your local GP in Switzerland should be able to give you a coronavirus vaccine, or you can ask a pharmacy for further advice and information. 

According to the University of Zurich Travel Clinic, the risk of developing a severe case of coronavirus for people not at risk is low, so a vaccine is not recommended. You can, however, choose to get vaccinated, and it will cost between 80 and 100 Swiss francs.

According to Germany's Robert Koch Institute (RKI), more than 95 percent of adults now have broad immune protection, either through vaccination, previous infection or a combination of both, which generally provides healthy people with sufficient protection against severe disease.

Parts of this article originally appeared on IamExpat Germany.