Vaccines save between 2 and 3 million lives worldwide every year. Yet in India, missed or delayed vaccinations remain a significant public health problem partly because the schedule is complicated, partly because misinformation is rampant online. This guide breaks down every vaccine your child needs, when, and why.
Two Schedules: NIS and IAP
India has two immunisation schedules parents should be aware of. The National Immunisation Schedule (NIS) is provided free at government health centres and covers the essential vaccines mandated by the Union Health Ministry. The IAP (Indian Academy of Pediatrics) Schedule is recommended by pediatricians and includes additional vaccines beyond the NIS that provide broader protection, particularly for urban children.
Both schedules are evidence-based and important. The IAP schedule costs more but protects against additional diseases including rotavirus diarrhoea, varicella (chickenpox), meningococcal meningitis, and typhoid.
Birth to 6 Weeks
At Birth
BCG (tuberculosis), Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV-0), and Hepatitis B (first dose). BCG protects against severe forms of TB including TB meningitis and is critically important in India. All three are given within 24 hours of birth ideally before the baby leaves the maternity ward.
At 6 Weeks
DTwP/DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough), IPV or OPV-1, Hepatitis B (second dose), Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), PCV (pneumococcal), and Rotavirus (first dose). This is the most vaccine-dense visit. It is normal for babies to be fussy and slightly feverish a sign the immune system is responding.
10 Weeks to 9 Months
Doses at 10 and 14 weeks complete the primary series of DTwP/DTaP, IPV/OPV, Hib, PCV, and Rotavirus. At 6 months, the third dose of Hepatitis B is given. Influenza vaccine is recommended from 6 months onwards annually, as flu strains change each year. At 9 months, Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine is given under the NIS, while MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) is the IAP recommendation.
12 Months to 5 Years
12–15 Months
MMR (second dose), PCV booster, Varicella (first dose), Hepatitis A (first dose). Typhoid conjugate vaccine is recommended by IAP at 9–12 months and repeated every 3 years.
15–18 Months
DTP booster, OPV/IPV booster, Hib booster, Varicella (second dose). This booster series is critical immunity from primary doses wanes and needs reinforcing.
4–6 Years (School Entry)
DTP second booster, OPV third booster, MMR third dose (IAP). These vaccines are often missed because children appear healthy but they protect against outbreaks in school environments.
What to Do If You've Missed Doses
A missed vaccine is not a failed vaccine course. Most vaccines can be given later ("catch-up vaccination") without restarting the series. Speak to your pediatrician they will calculate which doses are still needed based on the child's age and which have been received. The key is to act: partial vaccination provides partial protection, but complete vaccination provides the full shield your child needs.
Keep Your Child's Vaccination Card Safe
The vaccination card is one of the most important documents in your child's health history. Store it safely and bring it to every pediatric visit. Many private hospitals and schools in India now require proof of vaccination for admission.
Dr. Nandita Alva
Dr. Nandita Alva is a Senior Neonatologist at MNR Hospital with 17 years of clinical experience. Trained at AIIMS with a fellowship in neonatology, she heads the Level III NICU and provides expert guidance on newborn care, premature infant management, and childhood vaccination.
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