Respiratory viruses circulate in Switzerland as the weather gets colder and can, in some cases, develop into severe illnesses. Here’s what to expect on the health front in coming months.
Along with about 200 common cold viruses, the main seasonal illnesses in the winter of 2026/2027 will include the flu, Covid, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
All of them are highly infectious with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
Here’s a look at what you should know about each, and how to vaccinate against them.
The flu
The influenza season typically begins in Switzerland toward the end of December and reaches its peak in January.
This year the first cases have already been recorded, but the scale of the upcoming season can’t be predicted yet, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) said.
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That’s because its evolution depends on a variety of factors, such as the existing level of immunity within the population, the specific virus variants in circulation, and weather conditions – for instance, it is easier to be infected when it is cold and people spend more time together indoors.
As it does each year, the FOPH recommends flu vaccinations for individuals aged 65 and older, pregnant women, and those with chronic medical conditions.
The best time to get a shot is before mid-December, but it is not yet clear whether it will be possible this year because about 40 percent of the doses ordered by the government are facing delivery delays.
The FOPH anticipates, however, that sufficient doses will be available in time for people aged 75 and older, as well as for high-risk groups aged 65 and older.
The vaccine’s availability for the rest of the population is also guaranteed, though it is not yet known whether the delayed batches will be delivered in time to be as effective as possible.
READ MORE: Will delays mean Switzerland lacks enough flu vaccines this winter?
Covid
After the peak of the pandemic subsided about four years ago, Covid became – like the flu – a recurrent seasonal virus.
It is still very contagious, and while for most people its effects are mild to moderate, it can have serious consequences for those with chronic illnesses or a compromised immune system.
According to Jan Fehr, an infectious disease specialist and head of the Public and Global Health department at the University of Zurich, this year, the XFG variant, also known as Stratus, “is clearly dominant.”
“It is one of numerous Omicron sub-variants that, since the beginning of 2022, have completely displaced the original SARS-CoV-2 virus,” he pointed out.
The good news is that “Omicron subtypes tend to be relatively mild.”
The current vaccine “has been adapted accordingly,” to protect against this particular variant., Fehr said.
RSV
The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can also cause severe respiratory infections, especially in babies and older adults.
“According to current knowledge, a single dose provides protection for three years,” Fehr said.
But while infants are routinely vaccinated against this virus, people over 75 – for whom this immunisation is particularly recommended – are not.
The vaccine is available for older individuals but, unlike for infants, it is not covered by health insurance. Its out-of-pocket cost ranges from 183 to 245 francs.
