Vaccination Schedule
Baby vaccination schedule in India
The vaccines an Indian baby is given in the first year, and roughly when. The free government schedule and the vaccines the Indian Academy of Pediatrics additionally recommends are shown separately, so it is clear which is which.
This is general information, not medical advice. Your pediatrician's schedule is the one to follow, since vaccines, brands, and timing vary by clinic, state, and your baby's health. It reflects the 2026 schedule, which is reviewed from time to time, so please confirm the current one with your doctor.
Enter your baby's date of birth to see the approximate date of each routine visit. These are estimates to plan around. Confirm the exact date and the vaccines given with your baby's healthcare provider.
Free government schedule (UIP)
These are given free of cost under the Government of India Universal Immunization Programme at government hospitals, Primary Health Centres, and Anganwadi centers. Vitamin A is a nutritional supplement, not a vaccine, and is listed because it is given at the same visits.
| Age | Given free of cost |
|---|---|
| At birth | BCG, OPV (zero dose), Hepatitis B (birth dose) |
| 6 weeks | Pentavalent 1 (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib, Hepatitis B), OPV 1, fractional IPV 1, PCV 1, Rotavirus 1 |
| 10 weeks | Pentavalent 2, OPV 2, Rotavirus 2 |
| 14 weeks | Pentavalent 3, OPV 3, fractional IPV 2, PCV 2, Rotavirus 3 |
| 9 to 12 months | Measles-Rubella (MR) 1st dose, PCV booster, third fractional IPV (fIPV) dose, Vitamin A supplement (1st dose); Japanese encephalitis (1st dose) in endemic districts |
| 16 to 24 months | DPT booster, OPV booster, Measles-Rubella (MR) 2nd dose, Japanese encephalitis (2nd dose) in endemic districts, Vitamin A supplement (2nd dose) |
Also recommended by the IAP
The Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommends the government vaccines above plus the ones below, for broader protection. These are usually given at private clinics. If private vaccines are not affordable right now, the free government vaccines still protect against the most dangerous diseases, so please do not skip them.
| Vaccine | Usually given |
|---|---|
| Influenza (flu) | From 6 months. Two doses about a month apart in the first year, then once a year. |
| Typhoid conjugate (TCV) | 6 to 9 months. One dose. |
| Hepatitis A | From 12 months. One or two doses, depending on the vaccine used. Your pediatrician will advise. |
| MMR | 9 and 15 months. Covers mumps in addition to measles and rubella. |
| Varicella (chickenpox) | First dose around 15 months, with a second dose later. |
The IAP also times a couple of vaccines a little differently from the government schedule. For PCV it uses three primary doses (6, 10, and 14 weeks) with a booster at 15 months, and it may use full-dose injectable polio at 6, 10, and 14 weeks. Your pediatrician will follow one consistent schedule rather than mixing the two, so use this page to understand the vaccines, and follow your doctor for the exact dates and doses.
If you miss a dose
You do not have to start the series over. If your baby misses a vaccination date, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible, and they can advise which doses are needed and when. Bring the yellow Mother and Child Protection Card to every visit, and your pediatrician will continue from where you left off using a catch-up schedule. Never repeat a dose without your doctor's guidance.
Common questions
When does a baby get the first vaccine in India?
At birth. Newborns are given BCG, the zero dose of OPV, and the first dose of Hepatitis B, ideally within the first 24 hours.
Which baby vaccines are free in India?
Under the government Universal Immunization Programme, BCG, OPV, the Hepatitis B birth dose, the pentavalent vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib and Hepatitis B), fractional IPV, PCV, Rotavirus, and Measles-Rubella are free at government centers, along with the PCV booster, Vitamin A, and Japanese encephalitis in endemic districts.
What is the difference between the UIP and IAP schedules?
The UIP is the government's free schedule covering the core diseases. The IAP schedule includes the same core plus additional recommended vaccines such as influenza, hepatitis A, chickenpox, MMR and the typhoid conjugate vaccine, and it times PCV and injectable polio slightly differently. Most pediatricians follow a combination of both.
What is the painless or 6-in-1 vaccine?
The painless vaccine uses acellular pertussis (DTaP), which tends to cause less fever and swelling than the whole-cell version (DTwP) given free at government hospitals. The 6-in-1, or hexavalent, vaccine combines DTaP, IPV, Hib and Hepatitis B into one injection, so there are fewer pricks per visit. It costs more; your pediatrician can advise whether it suits your baby.
What should I do if we miss a vaccination date?
Go as soon as you remember. You do not restart the series; your pediatrician continues from where you left off with a catch-up schedule. Bring the yellow Mother and Child Protection Card to every visit.
Is the vaccination schedule the same for boys and girls?
The routine vaccination schedule shown here applies to both boys and girls. Your pediatrician can advise on any additional vaccinations relevant to your child.
This page is general information and does not replace advice from your pediatrician, who will set the right schedule for your baby, including for premature babies or any health condition. It reflects the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and Government of India (UIP) schedule as of 2026; schedules are reviewed periodically, so confirm the current one with your doctor.
Sources: Government of India National Immunization Schedule, Universal Immunization Programme (National Health Mission, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare), and the IAP ACVIP Recommended Immunization Schedule 2025 (Indian Pediatrics, 2026).
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