Following weeks of talks and preparations, a COVID-19 vaccination centre opened on the CERN site on Monday, 27 September.
Located in Building 693, near the fire station, the centre opened its doors in the presence of the sub-prefect for Gex and Nantua, Pascaline Boulay. Ms Boulay, the representative of the French State in the Pays de Gex, visited the centre and was welcomed by a delegation of the Management and the CERN Medical Service.
“I’m delighted with the collaboration with the French authorities that has enabled us to offer this service,” said Raphael Otzenberger, the head of the Medical Service, who explained that he and his team have been working all summer to complete the administrative formalities, prepare the premises and make the logistical arrangements for the centre to operate.
The centre is open to members of the personnel and their families, as well as retirees and contractors’ personnel. However, as the centre is governed by French rules, only people who live in France or are French nationals are eligible for vaccination there.
The centre will administer the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine to people who have not yet been vaccinated or who qualify for a third dose.
From 4 October, it will also be possible to receive the seasonal flu vaccination at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccination, for those who wish to do so.
The centre will operate for a limited period of time and will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday from 9.00 to 11.00 a.m. and from 2.00 to 4.30 p.m. You can make an appointment by calling +41 22 766 7777.
Talks are in progress with the Swiss authorities to offer a similar service for people who are not French nationals and who live in Switzerland. Until then, vaccinations are available at several centres in Geneva, some of which do not require an appointment.
More detailed information about COVID-19 vaccinations can be found on the HSE unit’s COVID-19 webpage.