Prognosis

Billionaire Angers Swiss With Early Covid Shot

  • Rupert received vaccine at Swiss clinic linked to his family
  • He got inoculation as ‘test patient’ before the wider public
Johann RupertPhotographer: Alberto Bernasconi/Bloomberg
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Richemont Chairman Johann Rupert received his first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine at a clinic his family has investment ties to in Switzerland, sparking a controversy in the country about who should get inoculated first.

The South African billionaire got the shot at Hirslanden AG, which is owned by Mediclinic International Plc, a hospital operator the Rupert family has invested in through Remgro Ltd. Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger said he was one of 12 test patients in the canton of Thurgau shortly before vaccinations were offered to a wider public on Jan. 12.