malaria medication for Vanuatu

I'll be in Vanuatu for 2 weeks in late August, mostly around Port Vila and 4-5 days on Tanna in the second week. Do I need to take malaria medication? I know it's not necessary for Port Vila, but is it advisable for Tanna? If so can I buy doxycycline when I arrive without prescription? Thanks for any local advice.

Malaria is more common in northern Vanuatu (though still nothing like further north in the Solomons or PNG) so I1d say you can do without.
Maybe carry a treatment dose, just in case.
I'd bring that from home rather than hope to get it locally.

The advice from my travel clinic (in the Netherlands) was to take Malarone and I brought it with me. Start one day before you arrive and keep taking it for a week after you leave the area.

Mozzies really like me, so I thought better safe than sorry.

You are unlikely to be able to get doxycycline anywhere without a prescription.

For a short time stay of 2 weeks, it is recommended to take Malerone.
Doxycycline is not very good for people with white fair skin since there are side effects like getting sunburnt when staying outdoors. As Lilau said, you should take it one day before arrival and one week before you leave the area. Do not give it a light thought.

Based on the research I have done on the various anti- malaria medications. My husband and I are going to risk it. The side effects of the medications can be just as bad as the symptoms (although, you would be less likely to actually die from the side effects). You can also still get Malaria while on the medications. In most cases, it is treatable with a higher dose of anti- malarial drugs (even if you're already on some). Port Vila would have these medications and Tanna is not far away. We are going in September, which is the low season for Malaria in Vanuatu. My advice would be to find out if you are going in the low season and protect yourself from getting bitten as much as possible. DEET 30+ is reccomended, impregnated mosquito nets and cover yourself up from dusk to dawn. Know the symptoms and if you feel like you might have it, get treated.

Malaria is relatively scarce on Efate and most expats don't take prophylaxis. Apparently only 8 cases in Tanna last year so again risk is very small. Probably not much risk in Luganville but definite risk in rural areas and all northern islands.

As always try to balance risk. The advice above makes sense, using all precautions.
If you think you have flu (headache, fever, shivering, nausea, body ache) seek out a health centre and get a malaria slide or rapid test done. Dont wait till tomorrow.

I bought Doxycycline at The Drug Store in Vila without prescription if you state what you want it for.

Some decide to be cautious, some take the risk.
Dont forget take Doxy during a meal with a glass of water and not just before lying down. Sun sensitivity only occurs in about 1 in 30 people but hey- generally you shouldn't be exposing yourself to solar radiation more than you have to.

The CDC has some good info on what time of malaria prophylaxis to choose

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/drugs.html

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/country_table/index.html

thanks for the advice, I'm back home now.

I covered up from dusk till dawn, used Deet on exposed areas and slept under a mozzie net. Late August was the low mozzie season. I didn't have any problems then or since