The emergence of the Omicron variant has led to another surge in the number of covid-19 diagnoses worldwide. In 2020, covid-19 virus spread rapidly all over the world. Subsequently, although mutated strains such as alpha appeared, the number of newly confirmed cases did not surge sharply. In November 2021, the Omicron variant was first discovered in South Africa, and its transmission capacity is much higher than that of the previous strains. At the beginning of 2022, the number of covid-19 confirmed cases in the world surged every day, reaching the peak at the end of January 2022, with a maximum of 4.26 million new cases per day. Omicron also quickly became the main epidemic strain in 2022.
Covid-19 vaccine can still reduce the severe disease rate and mortality caused by Omicron. Omicron variant has become the most popular variant in the world. Zheng Zhongwei, head of the vaccine research and development team of the scientific research team and director of the science and technology development center of the National Health Commission, replied that Omicron is characterized by fast transmission and strong concealment. Recent studies outside China have shown that although we have seen that the risk of breakthrough infection of Omicron mutant to vaccinators has increased, current studies have shown that Omicron mutant has not completely escaped the existing vaccine. If we complete the whole course of vaccination, we can still effectively reduce the risk of hospitalization, severe illness and death caused by the Omicron variant. If we carry out intensive needle vaccination, it can also effectively reduce the risk of breakthrough infection caused by Omicron mutant. Therefore, the existing vaccination and booster vaccination are still effective for the Omicron variant.
Seven covid-19 vaccines have been listed in China, and many covid-19 vaccines are under development. As of April 15, China has approved a total of seven products for marketing. The approved vaccines belong to Sinopharm Zhongsheng Wuhan Institute, Beijing Institute, Beijing Kexing, Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co.Ltd(300122) , Cansino Biologics Inc(688185) , Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products Co.Ltd(300601) and Institute of medical biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, including five inactivated vaccines, one recombinant protein vaccine and one adenovirus vector vaccine The adenovirus vector covid-19 vaccine of Cansino Biologics Inc(688185) and the recombinant protein covid-19 vaccine of Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co.Ltd(300122) were approved for sequential booster vaccination. At present, there are many covid-19 vaccines under development in China, mainly focusing on three technical paths: mRNA, recombinant protein and virus vector. The research and development of covid-19 virus vaccine in China has always been in the first place in the world. At present, many covid-19 vaccine pipelines in China have entered the late stage of clinical research. With the advancement of covid-19 vaccine research, the types of covid-19 vaccines in China will be more abundant in the future, which can provide more choices for the sequential booster vaccination of covid-19 vaccine.
Investment strategy: maintain the overall “prudent recommendation” rating of the vaccine industry. The new round of global transmission of Omicron warns that covid-19 epidemic prevention has a long way to go. Research shows that covid-19 vaccine can reduce the severe rate and mortality caused by Omicron, and covid-19 vaccine is still an important means of epidemic prevention. It is suggested to pay attention to Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co.Ltd(300122) ( Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co.Ltd(300122) ) and Cansino Biologics Inc(688185) ( Cansino Biologics Inc(688185) ) approved for sequential booster vaccination in China; Several covid-19 vaccine pipelines are arranged, and the mRNA vaccine under development is expected to be the first approved Walvax Biotechnology Co.Ltd(300142) ( Walvax Biotechnology Co.Ltd(300142) ) in China.
Risk tips: the risk that the R & D Progress of covid-19 vaccine is less than expected, the risk of covid-19 vaccine product quality, the risk of intensified market competition, etc.
