Elastomer Plungers With FluroTec™ Film: The Right Choice For COVID-19 Vaccines

By Amy A. Kim and T. Page McAndrew, Ph.D.

The unprecedented need for COVID-19 vaccines demands accelerated drug development processes and the potential use of new vaccine platform technologies, yet both are risks. If a vaccine is stored or delivered in a prefilled syringe, use of an elastomer plunger laminated with FluroTec™ barrier film can help to minimize these risks. FluroTec film, which is based upon poly(ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), has chemical properties that reduce the migration of leachables into the vaccine, and reduce interaction with the vaccine. Plungers with FluroTec film enable consistent delivery volume and break-loose and glide-force performance over a range of viscosities. There are a variety of drugs approved by multiple agencies using it as part of the primary packaging. They are globally available in 1 mL long and 1-3 mL sizes. This article discusses how these features mitigate risks for a COVID-19 vaccine in a prefilled syringe.