2011: Release of the first malaria vaccine

According to the World Health Organization's Roll Back Malaria Initiative, there are at least 300 million cases of malaria each year, resulting in over one million deaths. Of those deaths, 90% occur in Africa. Because of this, malaria costs Africa $12 billion in lost GDP every year. GlaxoSmithKline is currently on track to release a vaccine for malaria that would be effective for "at least 18 months in reducing clinical malaria by 35 percent and severe malaria by 49 percent." Although some are skeptical of the 2011 release date, this vaccine could save millions of lives and billions of dollars for Africa.