Flu vaccine in Switzerland: will my health insurer pay?
You can protect against flu with the vaccine. How much does the flu shot cost in Switzerland, and does health insurance pay? Comparis explains.
18.10.2024
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1. Who should get vaccinated?
Most people can get vaccinated against the flu. In particular, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) recommends certain groups of people get the flu vaccine.
Increased risk of complications means that your risk of serious illness is higher than for most people.
People with a high risk of complications include:
People aged 65 and over
Anyone aged six months and over with chronic diseases. These include:
Heart disease
Lung disease
Metabolic disorders
Pregnant women up to four weeks after delivery.
Premature infants from the age of six months for the first two winters after birth. Premature in this case means birth before the 33rd week of pregnancy or with a birth weight of less than 1,500 grams.
The vaccination recommendation also applies to patients in:
Nursing homes
Facilities for people with chronic illnesses
If you catch the flu, you can also infect other people. If you have a lot of contact with people with an increased risk of complications, you should get vaccinated.
Also get vaccinated against flu if you have contact with infants under six months. This is because babies cannot be vaccinated against the flu.
Do you work in healthcare or at a care facility such as a daycare centre? Then you should also get vaccinated.
2. Flu vaccine – costs in Switzerland
The cost of the flu shot depends on where you get vaccinated. It is usually between 40 and 70 francs.
Good to know: on the Swiss national vaccination day, the flu vaccine is usually cheaper. In 2024, 8 November is national vaccination day in Switzerland.
3. Is the flu vaccine covered by health insurance?
Health insurers only pay for flu vaccination for people with an increased risk of complications. In addition, it only pays for vaccination when done by a doctor. You usually have to pay for vaccinations at a pharmacy yourself.
If you have supplemental insurance, it will only cover part of the vaccination costs. Clarify in good time whether your insurance company will also pay for vaccinations at pharmacies.
Find a health insurer
The start of flu season coincides with the time to change your basic health insurance. You have until 30 November each year to switch basic insurance.
By changing health insurance, you can save over 3,500 francs – and still get the same benefits from all insurance companies.
4. Flu vaccine – benefits and risks
Protect yourself and others: the vaccine protects against the flu and its effects. It also reduces the risk of infecting those around you. This means it protects people who cannot be vaccinated.
Less severe symptoms: if you catch the flu despite being vaccinated, the symptoms are usually milder.
Lower risk of serious complications: additional infections are less common. These infections are bacterial and can be more dangerous than the original illness.
No days spent in bed or hospital: flu can last up to two weeks, and in some cases even longer. Complications may require hospitalization.
Less expensive and time-consuming than catching the flu: vaccination usually prevents hospital stays and absences due to illness.
Protects unborn children: if a pregnant woman is vaccinated, the baby is protected from the flu during the first few months of their life.
Limited vaccination protection: the effectiveness of a flu shot ranges from 20% to 80%, depending on the season and the person. This means there is still a risk of illness. The effectiveness also depends on the age and health of the person who receives the vaccine. The current influenza virus strains also play a role.
Lack of necessity and costs: flu vaccination is only recommended for at-risk groups and their carers. If you don't belong to one of these groups, you don't necessarily need to get the vaccine. People not in a risk group have to pay for the vaccine themselves.
Potential side effects.
5. Flu vaccine – what are the side effects?
Typical side effects of a flu shot are:
Redness and swelling at the injection site
Fever
Aching muscles
Feeling slightly unwell
The side effects usually subside within a few days.
In very rare cases you may also experience the following side effects:
Rashes
Swelling
Breathing difficulties
Anaphylactic shock (immediate allergic reaction)
Approximately one in a million vaccinations results in Guillain-Barré syndrome. However, it occurs about 1,000 times less often after vaccination than after the flu itself.
Good to know: serious side effects are extremely rare with flu vaccination. The risks are many times higher if you catch the flu.
6. Flu vaccine – when’s the best time to get vaccinated?
The best time for vaccination is from mid-October to the beginning of the flu wave. In Switzerland, the flu wave usually begins between December and March.
Good to know: children can be vaccinated against the flu from six months of age.
Can I get the flu shot if I have a cold?
Normally, you can get the flu vaccine even if you have a cold. However, If you have a fever over 38.5 degrees, you should only get vaccinated after you symptoms have resolved. This is because fever can impair your immune response. If you’re unsure, ask your doctor.
7. How often should I get vaccinated against the flu?
You should get a new flu shot every year. That’s because the vaccine contains the four virus strains that professionals expect to be most common in the coming season. However, these virus strains change every year.
The flu vaccine generally provides protection for at least four to six months. However, flu viruses change constantly, so the protection provided can vary from season to season.
Find a doctor for vaccination
Are you looking for a doctor’s practice where you can get vaccinated or have another treatment? Find doctors in your area in three simple steps.
8. Does vaccination against the flu also help against Covid?
The flu shot does not protect against Covid. However, you can get vaccinated against flu and Covid-19 at the same time. The vaccines should not be administered to the same arm.
9. How can I protect myself from the flu on a day-to-day basis?
With these simple day-to-day measures you can prevent infection:
Wash your hands regularly or disinfect them.
Keep your distance from others. Are you part of a high-risk group or do you have contact with people at risk? Then it's best to wear a mask as well.
Stay at home if you start developing symptoms. This way, you avoid infecting others.
Ventilate several times a day. This reduces the concentration of viruses in indoor areas. This is especially important if you are in the same room with people from other households.
Cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow. Turn away from other people if possible.
Important: it usually takes one or two days from infection to the onset of flu. You can spread the flu virus to others as soon as you have been infected with it. This is true even if you don’t feel ill.
10. What’s the difference between a cold and the flu?
The symptoms of the flu and a cold are often very similar. The main features of the flu are:
Sudden onset of high fever. The fever usually lasts for two to five days. However, you can also have the flu without a fever.
Strong symptoms. The symptoms also affect the entire body.
Dry irritable cough without mucus production. The cough starts immediately at onset of the disease.
Good to know: the course of the disease varies from person to person. It’s possible for the flu to feel like a cold.
However, a seemingly mild flu can still lead to complications – especially in vulnerable people. The severity of the symptoms is not an indication of the risk of complications.
The table provides an overview of other differences
| Symptoms | Cold (upper respiratory tract infection) | Flu (influenza) |
|---|---|---|
| Onset of illness | Develops slowly, sometimes over several days | Abrupt onset of severe symptoms |
| Fever | Temperature usually below 38.5 degrees | Temperature often above 38.5 degrees |
| Headaches | Sometimes, mild to moderate | Common, strong |
| Sore throat | Sometimes, usually at the beginning | Relatively rare |
| Cough | Only occurs in the course of the disease, mucous cough is possible | Dry cough, from onset |
| Sneezing | Common | Rare |
| Appetite | Usually unaffected | Very little |
| Tiredness and fatigue | Mild | Strong, can last up to three weeks |
| Aching limbs | Sometimes | Common, strong |
| Nasal symptoms | Typical | Sometimes, usually milder |
| Other symptoms |
|
|
| Duration | Often 7 to 9 days | 7 to 14 days. It may take longer to fully recover. |
| When? | Year round | From October to April |
Source (some links not available in English): Stiftung Gesundheitswissen, Aspirin, SRF, Queensland Government
This article was first published on 18.08.2022
