Vaccination
Recommended vaccinations
As of April 3rd 2023, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and the Federal Commission for Immunization Issues (EKIF) generally no longer recommend covid-19 vaccinations.
The costs for vaccinations outside the recommendation, e.g. for an upcoming trip or an additional booster vaccination must be paid by the vaccinated person. Vaccination against payment is also open to persons from abroad without compulsory health insurance (OKP), such as tourists or business travelers, as well as Swiss citizens living abroad. Further information is available under the section "Self-pay system".
Vaccinations with the Janssen vaccine are no longer recommended, which is why they usually also have to be paid by the vaccinated person. The costs can only be covered by the government if a person cannot be vaccinated with either an mRNA vaccine or the protein-based vaccine Nuvaxovid for medical reasons.
Exceptions:
Vaccinations will be free of charge only for particularly vulnerable persons (BGP) 16 years of age and older if all criteria are met:
- The attending physician deems vaccination medically necessary.
- The vaccination is expected to provide temporary protection against serious illness.
- At least 6 months have passed since the last known infection or vaccination.
The following vaccinations are still recommended for severely immunodeficient individuals:
- 12 years of age and older: Basic immunization with 3 vaccinations and a booster vaccination after 6 months.
- For persons 16 years of age and older with severe immunodeficiency who have already received a basic immunization and a booster vaccination, another booster vaccination is recommended only if all of the following criteria are met:
- The attending physician deems vaccination medically necessary.
- The vaccination is expected to provide temporary protection against serious illness.
- At least 6 months have passed since the last known infection or vaccination.
Detailed information can be found in the vaccination recommendation and its appendices.
Available vaccines and vaccination services in the canton of Basel-Stadt
Medical practices and pharmacies:
- Moderna bivalent,
- Pfizer/BioNTech, bivalent (currently only offered sporadically)
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute:
- Moderna, bivalent
- Pfizer/BioNTech, bivalent, for adults
- Pfizer/BioNTech for children aged 5 - 11 years
- Janssen (only on request)
- Novavax
For a list of current locations and vaccination offers, click here.
Self-pay system
The cost of covid-19 vaccinations will only be covered in a few cases after April 3rd 2023 (see recommended vaccinations). Individuals who do not meet the criteria for a recommended vaccination and want or need a vaccination for travel purposes must pay the cost of a vaccination themselves.
Physicians offices and pharmacies may offer vaccinations for a fee. We recommend asking the physician or the pharmacy in advance whether vaccination against payment is possible.
Vaccinations for a fee are possible at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute.
Vaccination certificates
After a vaccination, vaccination certificates will be issued by the pharmacist or physician upon request.
Persons who have received a vaccination at the former vaccination center Basel-Stadt and subsequently require a vaccination certificate, wish to have one changed (e.g. due to a typing error in the name) or need an entry in the vaccination pass are kindly asked to contact the following email adress: info@coronaimpfzentrumbasel.ch.
Further and general information on certificates can be found here:
- cantonal website on covid certificates
- FAQs FOPH
Information for medical practices and pharmacies
If other medical practices and pharmacies of Basel-Stadt express an interest in offering covid-19 vaccinations on their premises, they can contact the following email address: coronaimpfstoff@bs.ch
• FAQs by the FOPH for medical professionals can be found here.
• Documents by the FOPH and the EKIF for medical professionals can be found here.
Vaccination in nursing homes for the elderly
Currently there are no mobile units in use to administer vaccinations in nursing homes for the elderly. If vaccinations should be necessary due to a new vaccination recommendation by the EKIF, the mobile units will be on duty again.
More information about vaccination
You can view the number of administered vaccinations on this publicly accessible vaccination statistics.
Side effects, myths and fact check
The Federal Office of Public Health clarifies circulating myths/rumors about vaccination and its consequences.
- Side effects
- Study observes inflammation of the heart muscle 4x more frequently after coronavirus infection than after COVID-19 vaccination
- Allergic reactions after a covid-19 vaccination are very rare
- Fact check
- Frequently asked questions
Written information on covid-19 vaccination in 10 languages
- General information on the covid-19 vaccination
- Information for adults with a chronic disease and people aged 65 and older
- Information for close contacts of particularly vulnerable people
Downloads covid-19 vaccination (website of the Federal Office of Public Health)
Videos with the most important information about the covid-19 vaccination from DiasporaTV in 15 languages
Information about covid19 vaccination in Switzerland (migesplus.ch)