Advanced packaging for distribution and storage of COVID-19 vaccines: a review

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 global pandemic (COVID-19) has affected billions of lives, posing critical challenges to the healthcare system, vaccine manufacturers, packaging scientists, and daily public activity. Biotechnological advances have allowed to create rapidly vaccines, yet the success of an efficient immunization mainly depends on the safe and timely delivery of vaccines. In particular, packaging plays a crucial role in protecting, preserving, transporting, and distributing vaccines. Here, we review advanced packaging for distribution and storage of COVID-19 vaccines, with focus on innovative hybrid packaging materials, cyclic olefin polymers with nanolayer glass, and vials for vaccines. We present vaccine packaging, auto-disable syringes, stoppers, and closures. We discuss the chronology of the packaging system, and the labeling of the vaccine packages, with emphasis on bar codes, quick response codes, vaccine vial monitors, anti-counterfeiting and traceability measures.