Need Malaria Advice Before You Travel?
Travelling somewhere with a risk of malaria? Get personalised malaria advice and find out whether antimalarial tablets may be recommended for your trip.
Malaria is a potentially serious infection transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The level of risk varies considerably between countries — and even between different regions of the same country.
That means malaria prevention is not simply about where you're travelling. Your exact destination, itinerary, length of stay, accommodation, activities and personal health can all affect the advice that's appropriate for you.
At Hampstead Travel Clinic, based inside Allchin Pharmacy on Englands Lane, our travel health team can assess your trip and advise you on appropriate malaria prevention before you travel.
Whether you need antimalarial tablets depends on your individual trip. Some destinations have a high malaria risk where preventative medication may be recommended, while other areas may require mosquito bite prevention and awareness without routine antimalarial medication.
The safest approach is to have your itinerary assessed before travelling rather than choosing malaria tablets based on the country name alone.
What affects your risk of malaria?
Malaria recommendations are destination-specific and should be tailored to the individual traveller. Risk can vary according to where, when and how you travel.
Your Destination
Malaria risk can vary between countries and between different regions within the same country. Your exact itinerary matters.
Check your destination →When You Travel
Malaria transmission can be seasonal in some destinations, so the time of year you're travelling may affect the advice.
Ask our travel team →Your Type of Trip
Length of stay, rural or urban travel, accommodation and activities can all influence your exposure to mosquitoes.
Discuss your itinerary →Your Health
Your medical history, medicines, allergies, age and other individual circumstances are considered when recommending malaria prevention.
Book a consultation →Remember the ABCD of malaria prevention.
UK malaria guidance recommends a combination of measures rather than relying on one method alone.
Understand whether malaria is present where you're travelling and how your individual itinerary affects your risk.
Take practical steps to reduce mosquito bites throughout your trip.
Take appropriate antimalarial medication when it is recommended for your destination and circumstances.
If you develop symptoms that could be malaria, seek medical assessment promptly and mention your travel history.
Which malaria tablets might I need?
There isn't one antimalarial tablet that's right for every traveller or every destination. The appropriate option is determined after considering the malaria risk at your destination alongside your medical history and individual circumstances.
Depending on the destination and assessment, commonly considered antimalarial options can include:
Atovaquone / Proguanil
A commonly used antimalarial option for travel to certain malaria-risk destinations.
Doxycycline
Another preventative antimalarial option that may be appropriate for some travellers and destinations.
Mefloquine
May be considered for some malaria-risk destinations following an appropriate individual clinical assessment.
These medicines are not listed in order of preference. The most appropriate option depends on your individual risk assessment, destination and health. Do not assume that a medicine used for a previous trip is automatically suitable for your next one.
Avoiding mosquito bites matters too.
No malaria prevention method provides complete protection. Mosquito bite prevention remains important whether or not you have also been advised to take antimalarial medication.
- Use an appropriate insect repellent.
- Cover exposed skin where practical.
- Use mosquito nets where appropriate.
- Choose well-screened or air-conditioned accommodation where possible.
- Be particularly careful around times and places where mosquito exposure is likely.
Malaria advice in Hampstead
Looking for malaria advice in Hampstead or need to know whether you should take antimalarial tablets before your next trip?
Hampstead Travel Clinic is located inside Allchin Pharmacy, 28 Englands Lane, London NW3 4UE.
We're conveniently located for travellers from Hampstead, Belsize Park, Swiss Cottage, Finchley Road, West Hampstead, Primrose Hill and Gospel Oak.
Bring your itinerary with you and our travel health team can assess your destination and discuss the malaria prevention measures appropriate for your trip.
What happens during a malaria consultation?
We Review Your Trip
Tell us the countries, regions and places you're visiting, when you're travelling and how long you'll be away.
We Assess Your Risk
We consider the malaria risk at your destination alongside your accommodation, activities and style of travel.
We Review Your Health
Your medical history, current medication, allergies and individual circumstances are considered.
Your Prevention Plan
We'll explain the malaria prevention measures recommended for your trip and, where appropriate, discuss antimalarial medication.
Feeling unwell after visiting a malaria-risk area?
Malaria can be a serious illness and early diagnosis is important. Fever is a common initial symptom and people may also experience chills, sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting or muscle aches.
If you become unwell during or after travel to an area where malaria occurs, seek medical advice promptly and make sure you tell the healthcare professional about your recent travel.
Do not assume symptoms are simply a cold, flu or another minor illness because you've returned home from your trip.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need malaria tablets for my holiday?
It depends on your exact destination and individual trip. Malaria risk can vary significantly within the same country. A travel health assessment can establish whether antimalarial medication is recommended for the places you're visiting.
Can I buy malaria tablets from a pharmacy?
Some antimalarial medicines may be supplied through a pharmacy following an appropriate risk and clinical assessment. The medicine recommended will depend on your destination, medical history and individual circumstances.
Which malaria tablet is best?
There is no single antimalarial medicine that is best for every traveller. Recommendations depend on the malaria risk at your destination together with factors such as your medical history, medicines and individual circumstances.
Do malaria tablets guarantee I won't get malaria?
No preventative regimen is completely effective. Antimalarial medication should be combined with measures to avoid mosquito bites and awareness of malaria symptoms.
Do I still need mosquito repellent if I'm taking malaria tablets?
Yes. Bite prevention remains an important part of malaria prevention even when antimalarial medication has been recommended.
Where can I get malaria advice near Hampstead?
Hampstead Travel Clinic is based inside Allchin Pharmacy, 28 Englands Lane, London NW3 4UE. Call 020 7722 1095 to discuss your travel plans or arrange a travel health consultation.
This article reflects UK malaria prevention guidance available in 2026. Malaria risk and country-specific recommendations can change. Advice about antimalarial medication should be based on an individual risk assessment and your current travel itinerary.
Need malaria advice?
Tell us where you're travelling and our pharmacy travel health team can help you understand the malaria risks and prevention options for your trip.
