India approves world’s first intranasal COVID-19 vaccine

India’s medicines regulator has approved what a local vaccine innovator calls the world’s “first” intranasal COVID-19 vaccine, restricted to use in emergency situations for people aged 18 and over. The approval of the iNCOVACC vaccine from Bharat Biotech International Ltd. came on Tuesday two days after China authorized the use of an inhalable coronavirus vaccine, another needle-free option. The Hyderabad-based company, in a statement, said the vaccine with the nasal delivery system was designed to be cost-effective in low- and middle-income countries with limited medical facilities and personnel. Dru…