Politics · Switzerland · 9 hrs ago
Schaffhausen removes vaccination provision from health law draft
The Swiss canton of Schaffhausen removed a vaccination provision from its draft health law after receiving criticism.
The provision would have given the cantonal government power to order vaccinations in cases where federal law allows it.
Schaffhausen’s government says a general vaccination mandate was never planned.
Federal law still allows cantons to require vaccination for certain at-risk or exposed groups, or people in specific jobs, under certain conditions.
The change does not mean people can be vaccinated against their will, and the rules do not apply to the whole population.
The Free Switzerland Action Alliance called the decision a success and plans to continue campaigns in other cantons, including Zurich.
Schaffhausen is removing a provision on possible vaccination requirements from its draft health law after receiving criticism.
The cantonal government says a general vaccination requirement was never planned.
The deleted provision would have allowed the government to act in cases where federal law permits limited vaccination requirements.
The Action Alliance Free Switzerland calls the decision a success and says it will continue campaigns in other cantons.
Federal law still allows cantons, under certain conditions, to require vaccinations for some groups.
- Who
- The government of the canton of Schaffhausen is revising the draft health law.
- What
- It is removing a provision on possible vaccination requirements and separating vaccination rules from cantonal penalties.
- When
- The decision was reported on 30 October 2026.
- Where
- The canton of Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
- Why
- The canton says it acted after numerous critical responses. The Action Alliance Free Switzerland says public resistance led to the change.
Schaffhausen cantonal government
Action Alliance Free Switzerland
Meaning of the change
Schaffhausen cantonal government
The government says no general vaccination requirement was planned; the deleted provision concerned cases allowed under federal law.
Action Alliance Free Switzerland
The alliance says a planned vaccination requirement backed by penalties and fines has been dropped.
Reason for the decision
Schaffhausen cantonal government
The government says the draft was adjusted after numerous critical responses.
Action Alliance Free Switzerland
The alliance attributes the decision to resistance from the public.
Thousands demonstrated in St. Gallen against a planned vaccination provision.
The St. Gallen government removed the planned possibility of a vaccination requirement from its new health law.
Schaffhausen announced that it would remove a provision on possible vaccination requirements from its draft health law.
- Cantonal government
- Schaffhausen
- Decision date
- 30 October 2026
- Federal law
- Allows cantons under certain conditions to require vaccinations for some groups
- Other canton
- St. Gallen removed a planned vaccination provision in May
- Zürich fine
- Up to 50,000 francs for deliberate refusal of a vaccination ordered under the cantonal law
What people are saying
success
vaccination obligation with threat of penalties and fines