SA to issue Covid-19 vaccine storage, distribution tender In an effort to speed up a vaccine rollout that opposition leaders and scientists have said is too slow. By Nqobile Dludla, Reuters 28 Jan 2021 13:50 Image: Bloomberg South Africa’s health ministry will issue a tender to store and distribute Covid-19 vaccines on February 5, it said on Thursday, in an effort to speed up a vaccine rollout that opposition leaders and scientists have said is too slow. The qualifying bidders will be involved in phase two and phase three of the country’s vaccine programme, Director General Sandile Buthelezi told Reuters. Health experts, scientists and political rivals have accused the government of taking too long to procure and plan the distribution of vaccines against the new coronavirus – a charge it rejects.