Overview of the influenza vaccination activities and legal frameworks in 26 Swiss cantons during the influenza season 2019/20

Background: In Switzerland, the implementation of national health and prevention strategies is regulated at the cantonal level. To date, no in-depth inventory outlining the cantonal health activities and legal frameworks for influenza vaccination exists.

Objective: To assess the activities and legal frameworks for influenza vaccination during the 2019/20 season across all 26 Swiss cantons.

Method: Survey using a structured closed-ended questionnaire.

Results: The activities' range across the cantons is broad from 11 activities in the canton Vaud to one in cantons Grisons and Jura. French/Italian-speaking cantons conduct 1.5 times more influenza vaccination activities on average than the German-speaking cantons. 23 of 26 cantons authorize influenza vaccination by pharmacists. All cantons allow nurses to vaccinate under the responsibility of a doctor.

Conclusion: Influenza vaccination activities and vaccination-specific legal frameworks vary by canton and linguistic regions. Future vaccination strategies should consider concerted approaches to optimize their successful implementation.