The little card with faded ink that your mother has kept in the steel almirah for decades — that's your vaccination record, proof that someone cared enough to bring you to the primary health centre in the rain. Today, as a parent yourself, the decisions feel much more complicated: which vaccines does the government provide free? Which extra ones does the paediatrician recommend? Why does one friend say rotavirus is essential and another say it's unnecessary? And what exactly is the difference between the UIP schedule and the IAP schedule?
India currently vaccinates against more diseases than ever before in its history, yet vaccine hesitancy, missed doses, and confusion about schedules remain serious problems — costing an estimated 5 lakh child deaths annually from vaccine-preventable diseases. This guide gives you a clear, practical overview of every vaccine your child needs, when to give it, where to get it, and how much it costs.
Two Schedules Every Indian Parent Should Know
India operates two overlapping immunisation frameworks:
Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) — the government's free vaccination programme, run through primary health centres (PHCs), Anganwadi centres, and government hospitals nationwide. It currently protects against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases. All UIP vaccines are free of cost.
Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) Recommended Schedule — developed by India's leading paediatricians, this schedule includes the UIP vaccines plus several additional vaccines for better protection. IAP vaccines are available at private paediatricians and hospitals, and carry a cost.
When you see your paediatrician, ask them to explain which vaccines your child has received and which are still pending — the confusion often arises because UIP and IAP use slightly different combination vaccines (e.g., IAP uses hexavalent combinations rather than the UIP pentavalent).
Complete Vaccination Schedule: Birth to 16 Years
At Birth (0 Days)
| Vaccine | Full Name | What It Protects Against | Where Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| BCG | Bacillus Calmette-Guérin | Severe tuberculosis — miliary TB and TB meningitis | UIP (free) + private |
| OPV 0 | Oral Polio Vaccine (birth dose) | Polio | UIP (free) + private |
| Hep B 0 | Hepatitis B birth dose | Hepatitis B — given within 24 hours of birth | UIP (free) + private |
Why the Hep B birth dose matters: India has approximately 4 crore chronic Hep B carriers. A baby born to a carrier mother has a 70–90% chance of becoming chronically infected — but the birth-dose vaccine, given within 24 hours, reduces this risk to under 5%. This single injection may be the most important shot your child ever gets.
6 Weeks (1.5 Months)
| Vaccine | What It Covers | UIP/IAP |
|---|---|---|
| OPV 1 | Polio (oral) | UIP free |
| Pentavalent 1 (DTwP + Hep B + Hib) | Diphtheria, Whooping Cough, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b | UIP free |
| IPV 1 | Polio (injectable, inactivated) | UIP free in most states |
| Rotavirus 1 | Rotavirus diarrhoea — the #1 cause of severe dehydration and infant death from diarrhoea | UIP free in select states; IAP recommends universally |
| PCV 1 | Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine — severe pneumonia and meningitis | UIP free in select states; IAP recommends universally |
A note on Rotavirus: Rotavirus kills approximately 80,000–100,000 Indian children under 5 every year and accounts for nearly 25% of all childhood diarrhoea hospitalisations. India's homegrown ROTAVAC (Bharat Biotech) is affordable (₹200–400/dose) and included in UIP in states where it's been rolled out. Ask your paediatrician for it if your government centre doesn't provide it free.
10 Weeks (2.5 Months)
| Vaccine | What It Covers | UIP/IAP |
|---|---|---|
| OPV 2 | Polio | UIP free |
| Pentavalent 2 | Diphtheria, Whooping Cough, Tetanus, Hep B, Hib | UIP free |
| Rotavirus 2 | Rotavirus | UIP/IAP |
| PCV 2 | Severe pneumonia, meningitis | UIP/IAP |
14 Weeks (3.5 Months)
| Vaccine | What It Covers | UIP/IAP |
|---|---|---|
| OPV 3 | Polio | UIP free |
| Pentavalent 3 | Diphtheria, Whooping Cough, Tetanus, Hep B, Hib | UIP free |
| IPV 2 | Polio (injectable) | UIP free |
| Rotavirus 3 | Rotavirus (3-dose schedule) | UIP/IAP |
| PCV 3 | Severe pneumonia | UIP/IAP |
The IAP recommends a hexavalent vaccine (DTaP + Hep B + Hib + IPV — six-in-one) at 6, 10, 14 weeks for children in private care, which replaces the separate UIP doses and reduces the total number of injections.
6 Months
| Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|
| Influenza (Flu) Vaccine | IAP recommends annually; especially important for children with asthma, heart disease, or diabetes. Two doses one month apart for first-time recipients. ₹400–₹800/dose. |
9 Months
| Vaccine | What It Covers | UIP/IAP |
|---|---|---|
| MR Vaccine (Measles-Rubella) | Measles and Rubella | UIP free |
| OPV Booster | Polio | UIP free |
| PCV Booster | Pneumococcal | UIP/IAP |
12 Months (1 Year)
| Vaccine | What It Covers | UIP/IAP |
|---|---|---|
| Hep A 1 | Hepatitis A — common cause of jaundice in Indian children | IAP recommended; ₹800–₹1,200/dose |
| Varicella 1 | Chickenpox | IAP recommended; ₹800–₹1,400/dose |
15 Months
| Vaccine | What It Covers | UIP/IAP |
|---|---|---|
| MMR 1 | Measles, Mumps, Rubella | IAP (replaces MR with full MMR) |
| Varicella 1 (if not given at 12 months) | Chickenpox | IAP |
15–18 Months: The Critical Booster Window
| Vaccine | What It Covers | UIP/IAP |
|---|---|---|
| DPT Booster 1 | Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus booster | UIP free |
| OPV Booster | Polio booster | UIP free |
| IPV Booster | Injectable Polio booster | UIP/IAP |
| Hib Booster | Haemophilus influenzae type b | IAP |
| Hep A 2 | Hepatitis A second dose | IAP |
18 Months
| Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|
| MMR 2 | Second dose of Measles-Mumps-Rubella |
| Varicella 2 | Second chickenpox dose |
2 Years
| Vaccine | What It Covers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) | Typhoid fever | IAP now prefers typhoid conjugate vaccine (Typbar TCV); ₹600–₹900/dose. Booster every 3 years. |
4–6 Years (Pre-School)
| Vaccine | What It Covers | UIP/IAP |
|---|---|---|
| DPT Booster 2 | Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus | UIP free |
| OPV Booster | Polio | UIP free |
| MMR 2 (if not given at 18 months) | Measles, Mumps, Rubella | IAP |
9–14 Years: The Pre-Teen Vaccines
| Vaccine | What It Covers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HPV Vaccine | Human Papillomavirus — protects against cervical cancer, oral cancer, and genital warts | IAP now recommends for both girls AND boys aged 9–14 years. 2-dose schedule (0 and 6 months). After age 15: 3 doses. India's own CERVAVAC (Serum Institute) costs ₹200 under the government programme; private costs ₹2,000–₹4,000/dose. |
| Tdap Booster | Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis booster | IAP recommends at 10–12 years |
HPV vaccine for boys: The IAP 2025 schedule update includes HPV vaccination for boys aged 9–14, a major change. HPV causes not just cervical cancer in women but also throat (oropharyngeal) cancers and genital warts in men. Vaccinating boys protects them and reduces transmission to unvaccinated girls.
16–18 Years
| Vaccine | What It Covers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Td Booster | Tetanus and diphtheria (without pertussis) | IAP 2025: new recommendation for a Td booster at 16–18 years, replacing the earlier practice of waiting until adulthood |
| HPV Vaccine (3-dose schedule if not given earlier) | Cervical and other HPV-related cancers | Still beneficial even if given later; 3 doses required after age 15 |
Cost Guide: What to Expect at Private Clinics
| Vaccine | Approximate Cost in India (2026) |
|---|---|
| BCG, OPV, Hep B (birth dose) | ₹0 at government facilities |
| Pentavalent + IPV (6, 10, 14 weeks) | ₹0 UIP; ₹1,200–₹1,800 private (hexavalent) |
| Rotavirus (3 doses) | ₹0 UIP in selected states; ₹600–₹900/dose private |
| PCV (3 doses + booster) | ₹0 UIP in selected states; ₹3,500–₹5,000/dose private |
| MMR (2 doses) | ₹300–₹500/dose private |
| Varicella (2 doses) | ₹800–₹1,400/dose private |
| Hepatitis A (2 doses) | ₹800–₹1,200/dose private |
| Typhoid Conjugate (TCV) | ₹600–₹900/dose private |
| HPV (2–3 doses) | ₹200 government; ₹2,000–₹4,000/dose private |
| Influenza (annual) | ₹400–₹800/dose private |
Total estimated cost for complete IAP schedule at a private paediatrician: ₹18,000–₹35,000 over the first 16 years of a child's life.
Where to Get Vaccinated in India
Free government vaccination is available at:
- Primary Health Centres (PHCs)
- Sub-district and district hospitals
- Anganwadi centres (for outreach)
- Government medical college hospitals
- Designated vaccination sessions at schools (for campaigns)
Private vaccination is available at:
- Paediatricians' clinics
- Apollo Cradle, Cloudnine, Motherhood, Rainbow hospitals
- Vaccinators under the IAP PractVac network
- Some Medplus and pharmacy chains now offer select vaccines
Why Children Miss Doses: India's Dropout Problem
India has made enormous strides — the national DPT3 coverage now exceeds 91% — but dropout rates between early doses and later boosters remain concerning. Reasons for missed doses include:
- Parents believing the primary series is sufficient (boosters are equally important)
- Migration between cities or villages; records get lost
- Lack of reminders; parents forget the schedule
- Fear of pain or fever after injections (normal and manageable)
Keeping a complete, organised vaccination record for your child is one of the most important things you can do. Upload your child's vaccination card and all related health records to MedicalVault, and use the family sharing feature so that both parents, grandparents, and your paediatrician can access the same accurate record — even when you move cities or travel abroad.
Common Vaccine Side Effects and What to Do
Normal and expected reactions (do not avoid future vaccines):
- Mild fever (38–38.5°C) in 24–48 hours after DTwP, PCV, MMR
- Redness, swelling, or tenderness at injection site
- Mild fussiness and crying for a few hours
- BCG site: A small red nodule appears at 2–4 weeks, may ulcerate and form a scar — this is NORMAL; do not apply anything to it
Management at home:
- Paracetamol (15 mg/kg/dose) if fever above 38.5°C — start after returning from the clinic for DTwP doses
- Cold cloth on injection site for swelling
- Extra breastfeeding or formula for comfort in infants
Seek immediate care if:
- High-pitched, inconsolable crying lasting more than 3 hours
- High fever above 40°C
- Seizures or loss of consciousness
- Swelling that extends beyond the joint
- Severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of lips/face, difficulty breathing) within 15–30 minutes — this is why most clinics ask you to wait after vaccination
Serious adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) are rare and tracked by India's pharmacovigilance system. The AEFI rate for all vaccines in India is extremely low.
Addressing Common Concerns and Myths in India
"My baby already has a fever — should I delay the vaccine?" Minor illness (cold, mild fever below 38.5°C, diarrhoea) is NOT a contraindication to vaccination. Delaying vaccines unnecessarily leaves children vulnerable. Consult your paediatrician if you're unsure.
"My child had a reaction last time — should I skip the next dose?" Most reactions (fever, swelling, crying) are not contraindications to further doses. True contraindications are very specific: anaphylaxis after a previous dose, or a certain type of encephalopathy after DTwP. Your paediatrician will guide you.
"We don't need vaccines because we eat well." Good nutrition supports immunity but cannot replace vaccines. Even the healthiest, well-nourished child is susceptible to measles, polio, and meningitis without vaccination.
"The government vaccines are of lower quality." UIP vaccines in India are procured from WHO pre-qualified manufacturers (including Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech) and are subject to quality testing by the Central Drugs Laboratory. They are the same vaccines used in many high-income countries.
"My child got chickenpox naturally — they don't need the varicella vaccine." Natural chickenpox infection confers good immunity, but the natural illness can occasionally lead to serious complications (bacterial skin infections, pneumonia, encephalitis). If your child has not had chickenpox, the vaccine is strongly recommended.
Catch-Up Vaccination: It's Never Too Late
If your child has missed doses, do not assume it's too late. India follows catch-up vaccination guidelines: missed doses can be given at any later time without restarting the entire series. Your paediatrician or the nearest PHC can help create a catch-up schedule.
This is especially important for:
- Children who moved from rural to urban areas where a different vaccine format was used
- Children with medical conditions who previously couldn't be vaccinated
- Adolescents who missed HPV vaccination in school programmes
Keeping Records Organised: The Single Greatest Challenge
The biggest practical challenge for Indian parents is keeping a complete, accurate vaccination record. Paper cards get lost, torn, or left behind when families move. Hospital records don't sync. Grandparents in another city don't know what was given.
The government's ABHA health ID system is working toward a digital vaccination record linked to your Aadhaar-based health ID. Until that infrastructure is universally accessible, using a personal health record app like MedicalVault to photograph and store your child's vaccination card, track upcoming doses, and share records with your child's school, paediatrician, and family members is the most practical solution available today.
Key Takeaways
- India's UIP provides 12 essential vaccines free of cost; the IAP schedule adds critical extras including PCV, Rotavirus, Varicella, Hepatitis A, HPV, and Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine
- The most time-sensitive shot is Hepatitis B at birth — ideally within 24 hours — which dramatically reduces the risk of chronic infection in babies born to carrier mothers
- Booster doses are not optional: DPT boosters at 15–18 months and 4–6 years are as important as the primary series
- HPV vaccine is now recommended for both boys and girls aged 9–14 years under the IAP 2025 schedule; India's Cervavac is available free under the government programme
- Rotavirus and PCV are the highest-impact non-UIP vaccines for preventing child deaths in India — both are increasingly available free through UIP in more states
- Mild reactions (fever, redness) are normal and should not delay future doses — seek care only for high fever above 40°C, inconsolable crying over 3 hours, or signs of allergic reaction
- Use MedicalVault's family health records feature to store vaccination cards, track upcoming doses, and share records across caregivers and cities