Baby Vaccination Chart in India

Vaccination is one of the most important ways to protect babies and children from serious infectious diseases. The baby vaccination chart in India begins at birth and continues through the first few years of life, with different vaccines and booster doses given at specific ages.

Following the recommended vaccination schedule helps build immunity when children are most vulnerable to certain infections. In India, parents may encounter both the Government of India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) schedule and the broader recommendations of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP). The two schedules overlap for many important vaccines, but the IAP schedule may include additional vaccines based on the child's age, health, and individual risk factors.

Why Is Baby Vaccination Important?

Newborn babies have an immature immune system and can be particularly vulnerable to infections. Vaccines help the immune system recognize specific disease-causing organisms and develop protection without causing the disease itself.

Vaccination can help protect children against illnesses such as:

• Tuberculosis
• Polio
• Hepatitis B
• Diphtheria
• Pertussis or whooping cough
• Tetanus
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease
• Rotavirus infection
• Pneumococcal disease
• Measles
• Rubella
• Influenza
• Chickenpox
• Hepatitis A

Not every vaccine is given to every child at the same age. The recommended schedule depends on the vaccination programme being followed and the child's individual circumstances.

Baby Vaccination Chart in India

The following is a general age-wise overview of commonly recommended childhood vaccines. Exact vaccine combinations, timing, and additional doses can vary between the Government UIP and IAP recommendations. Parents should follow the schedule provided by their pediatrician.

This table is intended as a general guide rather than a substitute for an individual vaccination card. The current IAP-ACVIP recommendations were revised in 2025 and published in Indian Pediatrics in 2026, reflecting updates to childhood immunization recommendations.

Vaccines Given at Birth

Three important vaccines are commonly associated with the birth visit under India's routine immunization programme:

BCG Vaccine

BCG vaccination helps protect against tuberculosis, particularly severe forms of childhood tuberculosis.

OPV-0

The birth dose of oral polio vaccine helps provide early protection against poliovirus.

Hepatitis B Birth Dose

The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended soon after birth. Timely administration is particularly important because early-life hepatitis B infection can have long-term consequences.

The exact timing should be confirmed with the baby's healthcare provider and vaccination facility.

Vaccination at 6, 10 and 14 Weeks

The first few months involve several important primary vaccine doses. Vaccines given during this period may include combination vaccines protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Hib disease, along with polio, rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines.

Multiple doses are often necessary because the immune system develops stronger and more sustained protection through the primary vaccination series.

Combination vaccines can also reduce the number of injections required during a visit.