Federation will not order Johnson & Johnson vaccine

The federal government's vaccination strategy is faltering due to a shortage of vaccines. Deciding not use one the vaccines seems to be a poor decision. This is not the only reason why the Zug City Council has made representations to the Federal Council.

"It’s with astonishment that the Zug City Council (Stadtrat) has taken note of the statement made by the Deputy Director of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) that Switzerland is not ordering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine," writes the Zug City Council in a letter addressed to the Federal Council, based on a decision of the city council of 16 March.

The city council requests that the decision of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) should be subjected to a "Federal Council Review". There are two reasons for this: on the one hand, Switzerland does not have enough vaccine in the current situation. It is incomprehensible that "an order for additional vaccines should be dispensed with right from the outset". On the other hand, "the decision of the FOPH ignores the close links between Johnson & Johnson and Switzerland". And with Zug.

Zug is an important strategic hub
Apart from the fact that Johnson & Johnson has a site on Campus Zug, along with a number of other companies from various business units, Zug is also "one of Johnson & Johnson's most important strategic hubs outside the United States," as well as being a major employer in the city, and ultimately a major taxpayer. According to the city council, the whole of Switzerland also benefits from this: "the city and the canton of Zug make a significant contribution to the National Financial Equalisation, and the Confederation also benefits from a considerable contribution to federal taxes."

A specialist holds a syringe containing Johnson & Johnson's Covid vaccine in the US state of Minnesota.
John Autey / AP

The city council is, of course, also aware that it's not only economic interests that are crucial in the procurement of a vaccine:  "Nevertheless, it's incomprehensible that timely contract negotiations are being dispensed with from the outset in this case, with very few convincing arguments." Especially since Swissmedic now seems to be about to approve the vaccine.

Direct impact on the Zug location
The idea of writing to the Federal Council started in the city council. "The city council members and the city clerk are constantly monitoring developments and measures to do with the pandemic," explains Mayor Karl Kobelt. "As an important business location, national events have a direct impact on the city of Zug. That's why the city council issues statements about these issues."

Kobelt recalls that "the cities, and therefore the city of Zug are particularly affected by the measures to combat the pandemic" There is accordingly a great interest in ensuring that easing measures can take place as soon as possible.

The council had not had any prior contact with Johnson & Johnson on the matter, said Kobelt. And according to media spokesman Thomas Moser, Johnson & Johnson Switzerland also did not seek contact with the city council in this regard. However, Johnson and Johnson had been informed by the city council that a letter would be sent to the Federal Council regarding the non-consideration of the vaccine.

And what if the Federal Council rejects the city's request and does not review the FOPH decision? Mayor Karl Kobelt: "At first sight, it seems to us that a review would be in order. However, it may be that the facts no longer allow this, or it does not seem useful to return to the decision." What is probably more important in this case is the indication that the Zug City Council is exerting itself on behalf of Johnson & Johnson and the international companies in the city.