Baby Vaccination Chart India: Government (UIP) and IAP Schedule Explained

Vaccines protect your child from diseases that once killed or disabled lakhs of Indian children every year. Under India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), the core vaccines are free at government hospitals and health centres. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) recommends some additional vaccines, available at private clinics.

Government (UIP) vaccination schedule

Schedules are updated from time to time, so always confirm with your health centre or paediatrician.

Optional vaccines recommended by IAP

These are not part of UIP but are recommended by IAP and given at private clinics:

• Typhoid conjugate vaccine from 6–9 months
• Influenza every year from 6 months to 5 years (2 doses the first time)
• MMR instead of MR, adding mumps protection
• Hepatitis A from 12 months
• Chickenpox (varicella) from 15 months
• HPV vaccine for girls (and boys) aged 9–14

Private schedules often use combination vaccines (such as hexavalent) to reduce the number of injections.

Common side effects

Most side effects are mild and settle in 1–2 days:

• Fever and fussiness
• Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site
• A small blister after BCG that heals into a scar over several weeks (this is normal)

Your doctor may advise paracetamol syrup for fever. Seek urgent care for high fever above 104°F, continuous crying for more than 3 hours, seizures, or difficulty breathing.

Missed a dose?

Do not restart the schedule. Visit your health centre or paediatrician as soon as possible and they will help your child catch up.

Tips for vaccination day

• Carry the vaccination card or MCP card
• Breastfeed during or after the injection to comfort your baby
• Do not apply anything on the injection site

Track it digitally

You can track your child's vaccines on the government U-WIN portal, and keep the record with your paediatrician on PlanMyDoc.

Why vaccines are timed the way they are

Each vaccine is given at the age when a baby's immune system can respond well and before the age when the disease is most dangerous. That is why some vaccines start at birth and others at 9 months. Giving doses too close together can reduce protection, while delaying leaves your child unprotected for longer.

Can vaccines be given when my baby has a cold?

A mild cold, low-grade fever or loose motions is usually not a reason to postpone vaccination. Your doctor may delay vaccines for a high fever or a serious illness. Tell the vaccinator about any previous serious reaction, immune problems, or recent blood products.

Is it safe to give several vaccines on the same day?

Yes. Giving multiple vaccines at one visit is safe and is how both the UIP and IAP schedules are designed. It means fewer visits and earlier protection.

Common questions about specific vaccines

• Rotavirus vaccine is given by mouth and protects against severe diarrhoea. It must be started early in infancy.
• PCV protects against pneumonia and meningitis caused by pneumococcus, a major cause of child deaths.
• MR / MMR protects against measles, which can cause pneumonia, brain swelling and death, and rubella, which can cause birth defects if caught in pregnancy.
• HPV vaccine given at 9–14 years protects against cervical cancer later in life. Two doses are enough at this age.

Vaccines for teenagers and adults

Vaccination does not end in childhood. Teenagers need Td boosters, and adults may need yearly flu vaccine, hepatitis B if not immune, a Tdap dose in each pregnancy, and pneumococcal and shingles vaccines later in life. Ask your doctor what you need.

School vaccination programmes

Many schools run health and immunisation programmes with the help of health partners. If your child's school offers vaccination or health camps, keep the vaccination card handy so doses are recorded correctly.