Preventive Screenings & Vaccinations

KVG-covered cancer screenings

The following cancer screenings are covered by basic insurance, subject to your franchise and Selbstbehalt (unless your canton runs a systematic screening program that exempts cost-sharing):

• Mammography: Every 2 years for women aged 50 -- 74. In cantons with organized screening programs (e.g., Vaud, Geneva, Bern, and others), screening mammographies may be exempt from franchise and Selbstbehalt.
• Cervical cancer screening (Pap smear / HPV test): Every 3 years for women aged 21 -- 70 after two initial annual tests. The HPV test is increasingly used as a primary screening tool.
• Colorectal cancer screening: Colonoscopy every 10 years or fecal occult blood test (FIT) every 2 years for adults aged 50 -- 69.
• Skin cancer check: Covered when there is a specific medical indication (e.g., suspicious moles, family history, immunosuppression) — not as a routine annual screen.

What is NOT covered: routine annual check-ups

This is the most common misconception. The following are NOT covered by KVG for healthy adults:

• General annual health checks (Gesundheitscheck, bilan de sante)
• Routine blood panels "just to see how things look"
• PSA screening for prostate cancer (not recommended as routine screening)
• Full-body skin checks without specific indication
• Cardiac stress tests without symptoms or risk factors
• Routine chest X-rays

If you want regular comprehensive check-ups, some supplementary insurance plans cover annual health screenings (Gesundheitscheck). Otherwise, you pay the full cost out of pocket — typically CHF 300 -- 600 for a thorough exam with blood work.

Vaccinations covered by KVG

Vaccinations from the national vaccination schedule (Nationaler Impfplan) recommended by the BAG are covered by basic insurance. These include:

• Childhood vaccinations: The full schedule including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, HPV, and meningococcal vaccines.
• Adult boosters: Tetanus-diphtheria every 20 years (10 years after age 65), pertussis booster.
• Influenza (flu): Covered for at-risk groups — adults 65+, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions, healthcare workers.
• COVID-19 boosters: Covered per BAG recommendations for at-risk groups.
• HPV catch-up vaccination: Covered up to age 26 within cantonal vaccination programs.
• Hepatitis B: Covered as part of the adolescent and catch-up schedule.

Vaccination costs are subject to your franchise and Selbstbehalt when administered by your GP. In cantonal vaccination programs, cost-sharing may be waived.

Travel vaccines: not covered

Vaccinations for travel are NOT covered by KVG basic insurance. You pay the full cost yourself:

• Hepatitis A (for travel): CHF 50 -- 80 per dose
• Yellow fever: CHF 50 -- 70 per dose (only available at certified vaccination centers)
• Typhoid: CHF 40 -- 60 per dose
• Japanese encephalitis: CHF 80 -- 100 per dose
• Rabies (pre-exposure for travel): CHF 60 -- 80 per dose

Child preventive care: fully covered

Switzerland provides a comprehensive schedule of well-child visits covered by KVG:

• 8 examinations from birth to age 5: At 1, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, and 48 months. These include developmental checks, growth monitoring, and vision/hearing screening.
• Childhood vaccinations: Fully covered per the national schedule.
• Vision screening for children: CHF 180/year contribution toward corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) for corrections of 3 dioptres or more.
• School health checks: Organized by the school system, typically free of charge.

Child preventive examinations are subject to the child's own franchise (CHF 0 in many plans) and Selbstbehalt.

Where to get vaccinated

You have several options for vaccinations in Switzerland:

• GP (Hausarzt): The most common route. Your GP can administer all standard vaccinations and advise on travel vaccines.
• Pharmacy: Since 2015, pharmacies in most cantons can administer certain vaccinations (flu, COVID, and some travel vaccines). This is convenient and often does not require an appointment. Check whether your canton allows pharmacy vaccinations.
• Cantonal vaccination centers: For organized screening programs (HPV, flu campaigns) and specialized travel medicine consultations.
• Travel medicine clinics: For comprehensive pre-travel advice and hard-to-find travel vaccines. Major cities have dedicated Reisemedizin-Beratungsstellen.