Europe's news in English

COPY LINK

ZURICH

Zurich to open two new vaccination centres for booster jabs

Authorities in Zurich will open two new vaccination centres at the beginning of December to help administer booster jabs.

Published: 24 November 2021 17:57 CET

A person waits to get a vaccine in Switzerland for Covid. Photo: Photo by Valentin FLAURAUD / AFP

A person waits to get a vaccine in Switzerland for Covid. Photo: Photo by Valentin FLAURAUD / AFP

The two centres will be located at Zurich-Oerlikon (Therese-Giehse-Strasse 6) and Bülach (Bülacher Stadthalle) and will be available to anyone who wants to get a booster vaccine.

These will be open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week and will together have a capacity of 3,000 jabs a day.

Covid booster vaccinations in Switzerland: What you need to know

The existing vaccination centres in Affoltern am Albis, Triemli, Uster and Winterthur will also extend their opening hours to assist with the expected surge in people wanting a booster shot.

Each of the canton’s vaccination centres will now offer booster jabs, along with 450 GPs and 100 participating pharmacies.

Switzerland had been under fire for dragging its feet on the booster jab campaign, with some Swiss residents trying to cross the border into neighbouring countries in order to secure a third shot.

READ MORE: Can Swiss get a booster vaccination in Germany?

Booster jabs for people aged 65 and over and those in risk groups have been administered in Switzerland since November 22nd.

UPDATED: How can I get my Covid booster shot in Switzerland?

Peak Swiss medical agency Swissmedic on Tuesday approved booster vaccinations for everyone aged 16 and over.

To be eligible for a booster jab, your second shot of the vaccine must have been at least six months ago.

READ MORE: Switzerland approves Covid-19 boosters for everyone over 16

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.

Become a Member to leave a comment.

Zurich homeowners to pay significantly higher property taxes

Because Zurich is re-evaluating all properties, homeowners will have to brace themselves for significantly higher tax bills from 2027, cantonal authorities announced onTuesday.

This step was triggered by two court rulings, according to which many properties in the canton were undervalued. The last estimate took place in 2009, but real estate prices have soared by an estimated 50 percent since then.

Therefore, property tax values are to increase by an average of 48 percent, while imputed rental values for single-family homes will rise by an average of 11 percent and for apartments by 10 percent.

With this measure, the canton and municipalities can expect additional income of 85 million each.

What is the imputed rental value?

It is a tax term used to describe the theoretical rental value that you would have to pay if you were renting your own property.

In Switzerland, this value is used to calculate taxes, even if you live in your own apartment or house and do not pay rent.

For owner-occupied apartments in the canton of Zurich, the imputed rental value is 4.25 percent of the tax value. For single-family homes, it is 3.5 percent.

Authorities get ready for more ‘hardship’ cases

As a result of this tax hike, a larger number of hardship cases — that is, people who won’t be able to afford higher property taxes — the cantonal government is calling for the introduction of a ‘hardship regulation.’

Under this measure, a tax charge on the imputed rental value should be anchored in the law if it leads to an excessive tax burden in relation to the household income and assets.

The current cantonal hardship regulation serves as a transitional solution, which is in effect until legal basis is enacted at a federal level.

READ ALSO: How fast are property prices rising in Zurich in 2024?

SHOW COMMENTS

Url copied to clipboard!