New epidemic law: no compulsory vaccination
The Federal Council decides to enact the Epidemics Act as of January 1, 2016. The law does not provide for compulsory vaccination.
The Epidemics Ordinance describes the legal provisions for combating transmissible human diseases. The Ordinance on Microbiological Laboratories sets out the requirements and procedure for obtaining a permit to operate such laboratories. The consultation on the ordinances lasted from July to October 2014. The comments are summarized in a hearing report.
60 % of the voters approved the revision of the Epidemics Act in September 2013. The responsibilities of the federal government and the cantons will be regulated more precisely in the future. The Confederation will have a stronger role in management, target setting, supervision and coordination, while the cantons will remain responsible for enforcement. As a result, crisis situations can be prepared more efficiently and managed better. In addition, epidemics can be combated more effectively.
The new law also creates the conditions for taking uniform, efficient measures throughout Switzerland to prevent, monitor and combat antibiotic resistance and infections in hospitals and nursing homes. It does not provide for compulsory vaccination.
