You have received a renal transplant and are taking drugs to prevent your body from rejecting your kidney. These immunosuppressant drugs make it unsafe for you to receive certain holiday vaccines.

Check the following lists to see if the vaccinations you have been advised to receive before your holiday are safe for you!!!

The following applies to adults only.

Vaccines which are SAFE to receive include:-

• Diptheria
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Immunoglobulins
• Influenza
• Meningococcus
• Pertussis
• Inactivated Polio injection ('special order only')
• Pneumococcal
• Rabies
• Tetanus
• Typhoid injection
• Shingles - Shrigrix Brand Only

Vaccines which you should NOT receive are the “LIVE” vaccines and these include:-

• BCG
• Measles, mumps and rubella
• Oral polio
• Oral typhoid
• Yellow fever
• Rubella
• Shingles - except Shrigrix Brand
• Chickenpox 

Up to date information on which vaccines are needed to travel to different areas is available from your doctor or local pharmacy.

Malaria Prophylaxis
It is always best to check with your GP, practice nurse or specialist travel health centre before you travel as the tablets recommended will vary depending on the country you are visiting
If you have kidney disease, the doses of malaria tablets you will need may differ from other travellers.

You should always check with your renal doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are not sure what dose to take.

Chloroquine: 300mg (as base) once a week. You will need to take your tablets for one week before travel, whilst away, and 4 weeks after returning. The dose may need to be reduced if you are on dialysis or have a creatinine clearance under 10mls/min.

Proguanil: adjust dose according to renal function Your renal team will be able to tell you what your creatinine clearance is and can check the dose for you. You will need to take your tablets for one week before travel, whilst away, and four weeks after returning.

Atovaquone/Proguanil can be taken if your renal function is above 30mls/min. Your renal team will be able to tell you what your creatinine clearance is and ca\n check the dose for you. You will need to take your tablets for one or two days before travel, whilst away and for seven days after returning.

Doxycycline: 100mg daily for one or two days before travel, whilst away and for four weeks after returning.

Mefloquine: One tablet once a week. You will need to take your tablets starting three weeks before travel, whilst away and four weeks after returning.

Atovaquone/Proguanil Drugs for malaria prophylaxis are not available on NHS prescriptions (even if you don’t pay for your prescriptions). Mefloquine and doxycycline can only be obtained on a private prescription, but your GP can prescribe them for you

Up to date information on which vaccines are needed to travel to different areas is available from your Doctor or local Pharmacy.

Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad

Reviewed by
Janette Chu
Lead Pharmacist - Renal Services Manchester Royal Infirmary
Last reviewed April 2023
Next review April 2026

Download this information in PDF

The National Kidney Federation cannot accept responsibility for information provided. The above is for guidance only. Patients are advised to seek further information from their own doctor.

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Holiday guidelines for transplant patients