England boss Roy Hodgson has confirmed the squad had taken their anti-malaria tablets on Tuesday morning despite concerns over the side-effects. Generally, one in 10 people experience stomach cramps, sickness or dizziness after taking the pills.
He said: "As far as I'm concerned, I've got to go with medical opinion and if the doctors are telling me that when we go to Manaus, the players must take malaria tablets, whether it has side-effects or not, what do I do?
"I can't turn around and say 'We will not take malaria tablets', because the bottom line is better stomach cramps or whatever it is for one player in 10 than have someone contract malaria because that would be unthinkable."
Interestingly, Hodgson did not take any anti-malaria drugs before a trip to Manaus last year, but the FA confirmed he has done so this time around.
"I went to Manaus and I didn't take any for the two days I spent there," Hodgson said.
"That might just be something to do with the fact that I'm not a football player."
After consulting FIFA's chief medical officer Professor Dr Jiri Dvorak, England have decided not to have their yellow fever vaccinations.
