A recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus-based COVID-19 vaccine may be active when administered orally, says Merck as it begins clinical manufacture from facilities in Pennsylvania. Merck & Co. (known as MSD outside North America) entered the battle against COVID-19 relatively late, inking a triumvirate of deals in May. Two of the programs focused on vaccine development, one of which – a collaboration with non-profit research organization IAVI – is expected to begin clinical studies in the next few months. The program,…