Box for transporting vials of the Pfizer-Biontech COVID-19 vaccine, with label reading ‘in the refrigerator 30/08/21 at 8:50, dilute by 30/09/21 at 8:50, batch number FF2153’, from the Science Museum NHS COVID-19 vaccination centre, 2021

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was transported in a series of boxes. Each containing 195 multiple dose vials, these boxes became known as 'pizza trays' due to their shape and size. Each large box contained 5 pizza trays which was then packed with insulation and dry ice.

The Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 needed to be transported between -90°C and -60°C (-130°F and -76°F). These below freezing temperatures had to maintained all along the supply route from manufacturers to vaccine centres from manufacturers. Once thawed, the vaccine could be stored in a refrigerator at 2-8°. The label on this box gave the times at which the vaccine was thawed and stored. Vaccines had to be used within a certain time limit to ensure their safety and efficacy.

After weeks of careful planning and installation, the NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Centre at the Science Museum first welcomed people to receive their COVID-19 vaccine on 11 March 2021. Run by NHS staff and volunteers, the clinic delivered over 122,000 doses to people over the course of a year. People had to pre-book their appointments when invited by the NHS. When the clinic first opened, the museum was closed to visitors but reopened on 19 May 2021 for five days a week.