Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether COVID-19 vaccines must be stored in glass vials; if so, why; and if not, what plans they have to use plastic containers to address any shortage of glass vials.

Vaccines are currently approved for storage in glass vials, rather than plastic. This is due to glass generally providing better shelf life and being more resistant to sterilisation processes. Plastics can be made sterile, but often do not have as good barrier properties reducing shelf life. It should be noted that the UK has a sufficient number of glass vials available, due to orders already placed.