Newborn Vaccination Chart India: Complete Guide from Birth to 1 Year

Quick Answer: Vaccinations are crucial for protecting your baby from serious diseases. In India, the IAP (Indian Academy of Pediatrics) recommends vaccines starting at birth with BCG, Hepatitis B, and OPV. Key vaccines continue at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. Both government (free) and optional vaccines provide comprehensive protection. Keep your vaccination card safe and follow the schedule strictly for best protection.

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Why Vaccinations Are Important

Vaccines protect your baby from potentially life-threatening diseases by training their immune system to fight infections.

Benefits of Vaccination

Benefit	How It Helps
Disease prevention	Protects against dangerous illnesses
Herd immunity	Protects the community
Fewer complications	Even if infected, illness is milder
Cost-effective	Prevention is cheaper than treatment
Peace of mind	Knowing your child is protected

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Indian Vaccination Schedule (IAP 2023-24)

At Birth

Vaccine	Disease Prevented	Notes
BCG	Tuberculosis	Single dose, left upper arm
Hepatitis B (Birth dose)	Hepatitis B	Within 24 hours of birth
OPV 0	Polio	Oral drops

6 Weeks

Vaccine	Disease Prevented	Notes
DTwP/DTaP 1	Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis	First dose
IPV 1	Polio (injectable)	More effective than oral
Hepatitis B 2	Hepatitis B	Second dose
Hib 1	Haemophilus influenzae	Meningitis, pneumonia
Rotavirus 1	Rotavirus diarrhea	Oral vaccine
PCV 1	Pneumococcal diseases	Pneumonia, meningitis

10 Weeks

Vaccine	Disease Prevented	Notes
DTwP/DTaP 2	Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis	Second dose
IPV 2	Polio	Second dose
Hib 2	Haemophilus influenzae	Second dose
Rotavirus 2	Rotavirus diarrhea	Second dose
PCV 2	Pneumococcal diseases	Second dose

14 Weeks

Vaccine	Disease Prevented	Notes
DTwP/DTaP 3	Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis	Third dose
IPV 3	Polio	Third dose
Hepatitis B 3	Hepatitis B	Third dose
Hib 3	Haemophilus influenzae	Third dose
Rotavirus 3	Rotavirus diarrhea	Third dose (if using 3-dose brand)
PCV 3	Pneumococcal diseases	Third dose (booster at 15 months)

6 Months

Vaccine	Disease Prevented	Notes
OPV 1	Polio	Oral - continues government schedule
Influenza 1	Seasonal flu	First dose

7 Months

Vaccine	Disease Prevented	Notes
Influenza 2	Seasonal flu	Second dose (4 weeks after first)

9-12 Months

Vaccine	Disease Prevented	Notes
MMR 1	Measles, Mumps, Rubella	First dose at 9 months
Typhoid conjugate	Typhoid fever	After 9 months
Hepatitis A 1	Hepatitis A	After 12 months
Varicella 1	Chickenpox	After 15 months

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Government vs. Private Vaccines

Comparison

Feature	Government (UIP)	Private
Cost	Free	Paid
Availability	Government hospitals/centers	Private clinics/hospitals
Vaccines included	Essential vaccines	Essential + optional
DTwP vs DTaP	Usually DTwP	DTaP available
Combination vaccines	Limited	More options

Government Immunization Schedule (UIP)

Age	Vaccines
Birth	BCG, OPV 0, Hepatitis B 1
6 weeks	OPV 1, Pentavalent 1 (DPT+HepB+Hib), Rotavirus 1, PCV 1
10 weeks	OPV 2, Pentavalent 2, Rotavirus 2, PCV 2
14 weeks	OPV 3, Pentavalent 3, Rotavirus 3, PCV 3, IPV
9-12 months	MR 1, Vit A 1, JE 1 (endemic areas)

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Optional but Recommended Vaccines

Vaccine	Disease	Why Consider
Pneumococcal (PCV)	Pneumonia, meningitis	Now included in many programs
Rotavirus	Severe diarrhea	Very effective, reduces hospitalizations
Varicella	Chickenpox	Prevents complications
Hepatitis A	Hepatitis A	Common in India
Typhoid conjugate	Typhoid	Endemic in India
Influenza	Seasonal flu	Annual vaccination
Meningococcal	Meningitis	For high-risk or travel

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Common Side Effects

Normal Reactions

Side Effect	Duration	Management
Mild fever	24-48 hours	Paracetamol
Injection site redness	2-3 days	Cold compress
Fussiness	24-48 hours	Comfort, extra feeding
Mild swelling	2-3 days	Usually resolves
Decreased appetite	1-2 days	Continue feeding attempts

When to Seek Medical Care

Symptom	Action
High fever (>104°F)	Call doctor
Seizures	Go to ER immediately
Difficulty breathing	Go to ER immediately
Severe allergic reaction	Go to ER immediately
Excessive crying (>3 hours)	Call doctor
Extreme lethargy	Call doctor

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Vaccine Safety

Addressing Common Concerns

Concern	Reality
”Too many vaccines too soon”	Baby’s immune system handles thousands of antigens daily
”Vaccines cause autism”	No scientific evidence - completely disproven
”Natural immunity is better”	Disease carries serious risks; vaccines are safer
”Healthy children don’t need vaccines”	Diseases don’t discriminate
”Vaccines contain harmful ingredients”	All ingredients are safe in vaccine amounts

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Before and After Vaccination

Before the Visit

Preparation	Why
Bring vaccination card	Track record
Feed baby	Better tolerance
Dress in easy-access clothes	Quick injections
Note any recent illness	May delay some vaccines

After the Visit

Care	How
Feed on demand	Comfort and hydration
Watch for reactions	Normal vs. concerning
Give paracetamol if needed	For fever or pain
Keep site clean	No rubbing
Note next appointment	Mark on calendar

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Catch-Up Vaccination

If Doses Are Missed

Situation	Action
Missed one dose	Resume schedule, don’t restart
Multiple doses missed	Doctor will create catch-up plan
Unknown vaccination history	May need to restart some vaccines

Important: There’s no “too late” for most vaccines. It’s always better to catch up than to skip.

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Vaccination Card

Keep It Safe

Tips	Why
Store in safe place	Needed for school admission
Make copies	Backup in case of loss
Take photos	Digital backup
Bring to every visit	Update records

What’s Recorded

• Vaccine given
• Date administered
• Batch number
• Next due date
• Doctor/clinic details

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I give multiple vaccines at once?

A: Yes! Giving multiple vaccines at one visit is safe and recommended. It provides faster protection and reduces clinic visits. Combination vaccines (like Pentavalent) do this routinely.

Q: What if my baby has a mild cold on vaccination day?

A: Mild illness (low-grade fever, runny nose) is usually not a reason to delay. Moderate to severe illness may warrant postponement. Your doctor will advise.

Q: DTwP or DTaP - which should I choose?

A: DTaP has fewer side effects (less fever, fussiness) but is more expensive. DTwP is effective and safe. Both protect equally well. Discuss with your pediatrician.

Q: Are government vaccines as good as private ones?

A: Yes! Government vaccines are WHO-prequalified and equally effective. The main difference is the range of optional vaccines available and sometimes the type (DTwP vs DTaP).

Q: What if I can’t afford optional vaccines?

A: Focus on the government schedule - it covers essential protection. If possible, prioritize Rotavirus and Pneumococcal as they prevent common, serious illnesses.

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Key Takeaways

• Start at birth - BCG, Hepatitis B, and OPV are given immediately
• Follow the schedule - Timing matters for best protection
• Don’t skip doses - Complete all recommended doses
• Both free and paid vaccines are effective - Choose what works for you
• Minor side effects are normal - Watch for severe reactions
• Keep your card safe - You’ll need it throughout childhood
• Catch up if behind - It’s never too late
• Ask your doctor - For personalized advice

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This article was reviewed by pediatricians at Babynama. Last updated: January 2026

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