Who should have it
Travellers visiting areas where malaria is present, particularly for longer stays, rural or remote travel, or trips during the rainy season. Your level of risk depends on your exact destination, the time of year, and your itinerary.
How many doses
Malaria prevention is usually a course of antimalarial tablets rather than an injection — some taken daily, others weekly. Most are started before you travel, taken throughout your trip, and continued for a period after you return. Your prescriber will confirm the right tablets and schedule based on your trip.
Possible side effects
Side effects are usually mild and depend on the tablet prescribed — they may include mild stomach upset, headache, or disturbed sleep. Your prescriber will explain what to expect and help choose an option that suits you.
Additional precautions
No antimalarial is 100% effective, so avoiding mosquito bites is essential — use insect repellent, cover up around dusk and dawn, and sleep under a net where rooms aren’t screened. Seek medical help urgently if you develop a fever during or after your trip, even if you took your tablets.
About the disease
Malaria is a serious infection caused by a parasite passed on through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can develop quickly and become life-threatening, which is why prevention and prompt treatment are so important.