Baby Vaccination Chart India 2025-26: Complete Age-Wise Immunization Schedule
Quick answer: In India, babies follow a vaccination schedule that runs from birth to about 5 years, with a few boosters into the teens. It starts with BCG, OPV, and Hepatitis B at birth, followed by shots at 6, 10, and 14 weeks, then more around 6 and 9 months, the first year, and the toddler years.
Two schedules run side by side: the free government UIP (Universal Immunization Programme) and the broader IAP (Indian Academy of Pediatrics) schedule that private paediatricians recommend. The chart below covers both.
This guide is for general information. Vaccine timing can shift based on your baby's health, where you live, and your paediatrician's advice. Always confirm the schedule with your doctor.
The full baby vaccination chart (birth to 5 years)
Here is the age-wise immunization schedule based on current IAP/ACVIP recommendations.
| Age | Vaccines | Protects against |
|---|---|---|
| At birth | BCG, OPV-0, Hepatitis B-1 | Tuberculosis, polio, hepatitis B |
| 6 weeks | DTwP/DTaP-1, IPV-1, Hib-1, Hep B-2, Rotavirus-1, PCV-1 | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, hepatitis B, rotavirus, pneumococcal disease |
| 10 weeks | DTwP-2, IPV-2, Hib-2, Rotavirus-2, PCV-2 | Same as above (second dose) |
| 14 weeks | DTwP-3, IPV-3, Hib-3, Rotavirus-3, PCV-3 | Same as above (third dose) |
| 6 months | Hepatitis B-3, OPV-1, Influenza-1 | Hepatitis B, polio, seasonal flu |
| 7 months | Influenza-2 | Seasonal flu (second dose) |
| 9 months | MMR-1 (or MR), OPV-2 | Measles, mumps, rubella, polio |
| 9–12 months | Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) | Typhoid |
| 12 months | Hepatitis A-1 | Hepatitis A |
| 12–15 months | PCV booster | Pneumococcal disease |
| 15 months | MMR-2, Varicella-1 | Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox |
| 16–18 months | DTwP booster-1, IPV booster, Hib booster | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib |
| 18 months | Hepatitis A-2, Varicella-2 | Hepatitis A, chickenpox |
| 4–6 years | DTwP booster-2, OPV-3, MMR-3 | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, MMR |
| 9–15 years | HPV (girls), Tdap, annual flu | Cervical cancer, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis, flu |
Note: As of February 2026, the government added a free HPV vaccine for 14-year-old girls under the UIP.
Free vaccines vs paid: UIP and IAP explained
A lot of parents get confused here, so let's keep it simple.
UIP (Universal Immunization Programme) is the government's free programme. You get these at any government hospital, PHC, or Anganwadi centre at no cost. It covers the diseases that cause the most harm: tuberculosis, polio, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib, measles, rubella, and a few others depending on your region.
IAP (Indian Academy of Pediatrics) is the wider list that private paediatricians follow. It includes everything in the UIP plus extra vaccines like Rotavirus, PCV (pneumococcal), Hepatitis A, Chickenpox, Influenza, and Typhoid.
Which should you follow? If you can afford the private vaccines, the IAP schedule gives broader protection. If you can't right now, do not skip the UIP shots. They are free, safe, and they guard against genuinely dangerous diseases. Talk to your paediatrician about mixing both based on your budget.
| UIP (free, government) | IAP (private, recommended) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Paid |
| Where | Govt hospital, PHC, Anganwadi | Private clinics, paediatricians |
| Covers | Core life-threatening diseases | Core + Rotavirus, PCV, Hep A, Chickenpox, Flu, Typhoid |
Vaccine by age: what's happening at each visit
Vaccines for a newborn baby (at birth)
Three vaccines are given in the first days: BCG for tuberculosis, the first OPV (oral polio) drops, and the first Hepatitis B shot. In most hospitals these happen before you're discharged.
6 week, 10 week, and 14 week vaccinations
This is the busiest stretch. Your baby gets a combination of shots at each visit, often bundled as a single pentavalent injection (DTwP + Hepatitis B + Hib) plus separate doses for polio, rotavirus, and pneumococcal disease. Three rounds, spaced four weeks apart, build the core immunity.
6 and 7 month vaccinations
The final Hepatitis B dose, an OPV booster, and the first two flu shots. The flu vaccine is split into two doses the first year, then repeated once a year after that.
9 month vaccination
The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) or MR shot is the big one here, along with an OPV dose. Some regions also give the JE (Japanese Encephalitis) vaccine where the disease is common. A bit of fever or fussiness after the MMR is normal and usually settles in a day or two.
The toddler years (12 months to 6 years)
Boosters for the shots given in infancy, plus Hepatitis A, Chickenpox, and the MMR booster. These top-ups keep the protection strong as your child starts mixing with other kids.
Painless vs painful vaccines: what's the difference?
You may be offered a "painless" version of the DTP vaccine. The painful one (DTwP, whole-cell) and the painless one (DTaP, acellular) both protect against the same three diseases. The difference:
- DTwP (painful): cheaper, used in government programmes, slightly more likely to cause fever and soreness.
- DTaP (painless): costs more, causes fewer reactions, but some studies suggest protection may fade a little sooner.
Neither is "better" for every child. Ask your paediatrician which fits your baby.
What if you miss a dose?
Missing a date is not the disaster it feels like. Vaccines have catch-up schedules, and most can be given a little late without starting over. Don't wait for the "perfect" date if you've already slipped past it. Book the appointment, take your baby's vaccination card, and let the doctor adjust the timeline. The card matters, so keep it safe and bring it to every visit.
After the shot: keeping your baby comfortable
A mild fever, a little crankiness, or a tender spot where the needle went in is normal. These pass on their own in a day or two. A few things that help:
- Feed often and offer extra cuddles. Skin contact calms a fussy baby.
- A cool, clean cloth on the injection site can ease soreness.
- Dress your baby in soft, loose clothing so the spot isn't rubbed.
- A gentle, unhurried baby massage once the fussiness settles can soothe and relax them. Use a mild, chemical-free baby care routine so nothing irritates sensitive skin.
Call your doctor if the fever is high, lasts more than two days, or if your baby seems unusually drowsy, won't feed, or has a reaction that worries you.
Common vaccine myths (and the facts)
"Vaccines cause autism." They don't. The study that started this claim was withdrawn, and large studies since have found no link.
"Too many vaccines overwhelm a baby's immune system." A baby meets thousands of germs every day through food, air, and touch. The antigens in vaccines are a tiny fraction of that.
"Natural infection is better than a vaccine." Catching the actual disease can leave a child with lasting damage, or worse. A vaccine builds the same protection without the risk.
12 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It’s an age-wise list of vaccines a child should receive from birth to around 5 years, based on the IAP and government UIP schedules. It tells you which vaccine is due at what age.
The UIP covers BCG, OPV, Hepatitis B, pentavalent (DTwP, Hep B, Hib), Rotavirus, fractional IPV, PCV, MR/MMR, JE in some areas, and a few boosters, all free at government health centres.
At birth: BCG, the first oral polio (OPV-0) dose, and the first Hepatitis B shot.
The MMR or MR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) and an OPV dose, plus the JE vaccine in endemic regions.
The painless (DTaP) version causes fewer side effects but costs more, while the painful (DTwP) version is free and equally protective. Your paediatrician can advise which suits your child.
Most vaccines have catch-up schedules. Book an appointment as soon as you can and your doctor will adjust the dates. You usually don’t need to restart.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general awareness and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The vaccination schedule is based on IAP (2025-26) and UIP guidelines and may change. Always consult a registered paediatrician before making decisions about your child's vaccines.
