Written question asked by Lord Campbell-Savours (Labour) on Monday, 11 January 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 January 2021. It was answered by Lord Bethell (Conservative) on Monday, 1 February 2021 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) estimate they made, and (2) audit they undertook, of the potential (a) demand, and (b) availability, of sub-60 degree freezer capacity in the UK prior to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine rollout in 2020.

Answer: Public Health England (PHE) is responsible for the central storage and distribution of ultra-low temperature COVID-19 vaccines. In its preparations to receive vaccines, PHE determined the freezer capacity requirement to support the United Kingdom programme during summer 2020 and secured the freezers against that requirement. These were commissioned and in service before arrival of the vaccine. They provide sufficient storage for approximately five million doses of COVID-19 vaccines which require minus 60 degree Celsius storage or below.

Secondary information