Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by hiq 1841 days ago
> They gave him one without checking anything. His response? “America has the best vaccine program on the planet. They have so many rules in Zurich that the confusion is holding things back. They’d rather throw away vaccines than break minor rules”.

I live in Zurich, the vaccination program is crystal clear. If there are free slots, you can book an appointment. Up to recently, if you were not in a priority group (which are well-defined), you couldn't book. Now it's open to everyone. I haven't heard of vaccines thrown away.

I don't know what your friend found confusing in Zurich, or how he somehow concluded that flying long-distance during the pandemic to get a shot in CA is worth it.
2 comments
rurban 1841 days ago
I've heard of about 2 million shots thrown away so far, but only from internal medical sources.

You would not dare to call friends and neighbors, you rather throw them away. Public outrage only over the first

link
hiq 1840 days ago
> I've heard of about 2 million shots thrown away so far, but only from internal medical sources.

I couldn't find any information about this, is that more than a rumor? Where did you read this? Honestly I find this hard to believe without more evidence.

link
systemvoltage 1841 days ago
I had a long chat with him and don't remember it all but I paraphrased his take on Zurich's vaccine program. I don't know enough about situation there but my guess of why they flew down to CA was probably that they didn't cut it for the tier, frustrated by the slow roll out and the trip was most likely not a dedicated trip - they also rented an RV to travel around. Vaccication!
link
hiq 1840 days ago
The main differences between the countries which could have frustrated your friend could be:

- Switzerland got their doses later than the US for a variety of reasons, so the US was able to give them away earlier, and lift the age restrictions earlier

- Switzerland made clear groups to assign priorities, with which you friend might not have been happy (presumably because he is in the last group, as I am)

That would explain why in his personal situation he was better off getting the vaccine in the US while on vacation there, but that's not really a case of too many rules or red tape holding the vaccination back in Zurich.

link
systemvoltage 1840 days ago
I see, thanks for sharing your perspective.
link