Switzerland's COVID vaccine compensation program approves just two of 300 claims

Switzerland has approved just two out of 300 claims for COVID-19 vaccine compensation since the programme began. The first payment, announced in 2024, amounted to 13,860 Swiss francs. Affected individuals have criticised the slow process and lack of transparency from authorities.

The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has taken a cautious approach to processing claims. Officials cite the need to establish new procedures and the complexity of investigations as reasons for delays. Unlike Germany, which recognised nearly 600 cases by April 2025, Switzerland's approval rate remains extremely low.

Establishing a direct link between vaccination and health complications has proven difficult. No uniform criteria exist for determining when damage can be attributed to the vaccine. Rare side effects were not detected in initial approval studies for Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, partly due to the limited size of test groups.

The FOPH's silence has added to the frustration of claimants. While the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines are comparable to those of other vaccines, the lack of clear communication has left many without answers. Germany, by contrast, has processed over 14,000 applications, approving around 6.2% of cases.

As of April 2025, Switzerland's strict and slow-moving compensation process stands in sharp contrast to Germany's approach. Only two claims have been approved, with one confirmed payout. The FOPH continues to emphasise the need for thorough investigations, though the lack of clear guidelines and transparency persists.