Vaccination

Vaccinations in Switzerland

Vaccination introduces a weakened form of a virus or bacteria to a healthy body. This helps the immune system to develop protection from a disease without contracting the disease itself.

Each year, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and Federal Commission for Vaccination (FCV) publish the Swiss vaccination schedule. It lists all of the recommended vaccinations. Most of them are covered by your basic insurance.

The “Referenzdokument Prophylaktische Impfungen” (Reference document for prophylactic vaccinations, only available in German and French) valid from 1 January 2026 provides information about which (prophylactic) vaccinations are paid for under basic insurance. These vaccinations are now exempt from the deductible, which means you only have to pay the retention fee.

If you have questions about any particular vaccination, please contact your doctor.

Flu vaccination

Wintertime is flu season in Switzerland. This can have serious consequences for the elderly and chronically ill, pregnant women and toddlers. If you or one of your close relatives falls into one of these risk groups, we recommend getting a flu vaccination.

Travel vaccinations

If you're planning to travel and want to get vaccinated beforehand against yellow fever, typhoid, rabies, Japanese encephalitis or hepatitis A and B, for example, part of the cost will generally be covered by supplementary insurance. Ask your doctor for information about what vaccinations you might want to have before setting out.

Does CSS pay for my vaccination?

Yes, we pay a share of vaccination costs. Following deduction of the retention fee, basic insurance assumes the cost of vaccinations and related advice, provided they satisfy certain criteria. Coverage is based on the Health Insurance Benefits Ordinance (Krankenpflege-Leistungsverordnung, KLV, Art. 12a) and the “Referenzdokument Prophylaktische Impfungen” produced by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). The vaccine must also be included on the Specialties List. Your doctor can tell you whether or not you are entitled to any cost participation.

Paid under basic insurance

• Measles, mumps and rubella
• Chicken pox (varicella)
• Diphtheria every 10 years
• Tetanus for injuries
• Whooping cough (pertussis)
• Meningitis (Haemophilus influenzae type B)
• Pneumococcal disease
• Hepatitis B for children
• Flu vaccination for persons aged 65 and over and those with a higher risk of complications
• Cervical carcinoma (cervical cancer) | HPV (human papillomaviruses) Persons aged 11 to 26 as part of a cantonal vaccination programme
• Herpes zoster for risk groups aged 18 and over

Important: The list is not exhaustive.

Vaccinations paid for under supplementary insurance

We differentiate between medically recognised preventive vaccinations (basis: KLV Art. 12a) and voluntary protective vaccinations – for example for the flu, holidays and foreign travel, or personal needs. If the vaccination isn’t covered under basic insurance, we generally assume part of the costs under supplementary insurance.

Everything you need to know about the corona vaccination

Vaccinations against the coronavirus (COVID-19) began throughout Switzerland at the start of 2021. Would you like to get vaccinated against the coronavirus? Your family doctor or a pharmacy that offers a vaccination service can do this for you.

Who is the COVID-19 vaccination recommended for?

The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) recommends the COVID-19 vaccination for certain at-risk groups:

• Persons aged 65 and over
• Persons aged 16 and over with certain chronic pre-existing conditions
• Pregnant women

Does CSS pay for the COVID-19 vaccination?

Basic insurance assumes the cost if you are in the group of people recommended to have the vaccination and the vaccine features on the Specialties List. You only have to pay the retention fee. For everyone else, we generally pay part of the cost under supplementary insurance.

Types of vaccinations

Active vaccination

Active vaccination causes the body's own immune system to produce antibodies. Live vaccines contain a living but weakened form of the germ. While this form of vaccination is highly effective, the risk of complications is higher. However, a vaccine containing 'killed' bacteria or viruses can also be administered. Although not quite so effective, it is easier for the human body to tolerate.

Passive vaccination

Passive vaccination means ready-made antibodies are injected into the blood. Protection is immediate, but only temporary as the body breaks down the foreign antibodies.

mRNA vaccination

mRNA vaccination uses genetic information as a blueprint for building antigens. The body then produces these antigens itself. This form of vaccination is highly effective.

Reaction to vaccination

IIn most cases, vaccinations are well tolerated. However, sometimes the required activation of the immune system can trigger the following symptoms:

Vaccine reaction

• Within 72 hours of the vaccination
• Injection site turns red, swells and becomes painful
• Fever < 39.5°C
• Feeling of being unwell (e.g. headaches, tiredness, nausea, etc.)

Disease from vaccination

• 1-4 weeks after vaccination
• Only with live vaccines (living but weakened form of the germ)
• Weakened form of the disease against which the patient was vaccinated (e.g. slight rash after a measles vaccination)

Vaccination complications

• Vaccination was administered incorrectly (e.g. injected into fatty tissue instead of muscle, which can lead to infection)
  
• Allergic reaction to vaccination ingredients (e.g. egg protein)

Vaccine damage

• Very rare, connection between vaccination and damage has not been fully explained
• e.g. Guillain-Barré syndrome (temporary paralysis)