Quick answer: In India, a child’s routine vaccines start at birth (BCG, oral polio and the first hepatitis B dose) and continue through 6, 10 and 14 weeks, then at 9 months (MMR), 12 months (hepatitis A), 15 months (MMR, varicella and PCV booster), 16 to 18 months, 4 to 6 years and 9 to 14 years (HPV). This timetable follows the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) recommendations, which are reviewed periodically, so your own pediatrician should confirm the exact schedule for your child.
Somewhere in the middle of sleepless nights and endless pediatrician visits, most new parents ask the same question: which vaccines does my child actually need, and when? This child vaccination schedule India guide lays out a general framework from birth through age twelve, based on the IAP timetable and the broad structure of India’s national immunization program.
Please treat this as a general reference and not a personal medical instruction. Vaccination guidelines are periodically reviewed and updated as new evidence becomes available, and your child’s own schedule may need to be adjusted based on health history, missed doses or specific medical conditions. Always confirm the exact schedule and timing with your pediatrician, such as Dr. Haridarshan G J at Genesiss Hospital, rather than relying solely on a general guide like this one.
Vaccines work by preparing a child’s immune system to recognize and fight specific diseases before they are ever exposed to them naturally. Many of the illnesses covered in a standard baby vaccination chart in India, such as measles, whooping cough and polio, were once common causes of serious childhood illness and even death. Widespread, on-time vaccination has made these diseases far rarer than they once were, but that protection depends on children continuing to be vaccinated on schedule, both for their own safety and for the community around them.
Delaying or skipping doses does not just leave an individual child more vulnerable. It can also narrow the window in which certain vaccines are most effective, since many are timed around how a young immune system develops. This is why pediatricians place so much emphasis on sticking to the recommended schedule as closely as possible, while also understanding that catch-up doses are usually available if a child falls behind for any reason.
The table below summarizes the IAP-ACVIP immunization timetable for routine use. It groups vaccines by age and is a simplified overview, since your pediatrician confirms precise timing based on current guidelines and your child’s individual health.
| Age | Vaccines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | BCG, oral polio vaccine (OPV), hepatitis B (dose 1) | Hepatitis B ideally within 24 hours of birth |
| 6 weeks | DTwP or DTaP (1), IPV (1), Hib (1), hepatitis B (2), rotavirus (1), PCV (1) | Often given as combination vaccines |
| 10 weeks | DTwP or DTaP (2), IPV (2), Hib (2), hepatitis B (3), rotavirus (2), PCV (2) | Rotavirus doses depend on the brand |
| 14 weeks | DTwP or DTaP (3), IPV (3), Hib (3), hepatitis B (4), rotavirus (3), PCV (3) | An extra hepatitis B dose within a combination vaccine is safe |
| 6 and 7 months | Influenza (2 doses) | Repeated every year, usually before the monsoon, up to 5 years of age |
| 6 to 9 months | Typhoid conjugate vaccine | No booster dose is recommended |
| 9 months | MMR (1) | Measles, mumps and rubella |
| 12 months | Hepatitis A | Single dose for the live vaccine |
| 15 months | MMR (2), varicella (1), PCV booster | |
| 16 to 18 months | DTwP or DTaP booster 1, Hib booster, IPV booster | |
| 18 to 19 months | Hepatitis A (2), varicella (2) | Hepatitis A second dose only for the inactivated vaccine |
| 4 to 6 years | DTwP or DTaP booster 2, IPV booster 2, MMR (3) | A further round of boosters as the child starts school |
| 9 to 14 years | HPV (2 doses, 6 months apart) | Recommended for girls and boys |
| 10 years | Tdap | Given even if a DPT booster was received earlier |
Some vaccines, such as the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, are recommended only in certain regions. The government’s national immunization program also provides vaccines free at public facilities, with some differences in the combination vaccines used, so ask your pediatrician which schedule your child is following. The full recommendations are published by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and in the journal Indian Pediatrics (both linked below).
This overview is intentionally general. The exact vaccines, number of doses and timing can vary based on updated national guidelines, your child’s health history and whether particular vaccines are recommended in your specific region. A pediatrician will personalize this framework to your child and not apply it mechanically.
Missing a dose does not usually mean starting over. Most vaccination schedules allow for catch-up doses, and a pediatrician can design a revised timeline to get your child back on track as safely and quickly as possible. If your child has fallen behind because of illness, travel or a move, bring whatever records you have to the next visit.
Mild fever, soreness or swelling at the injection site, fussiness and sleepiness are common after vaccines and usually settle within a day or two. A fever after vaccination is managed like any other mild fever. Our guide on when to watch a child’s fever at home and when to visit a hospital explains what is expected and which signs mean you should seek care. Seek urgent help if your child has difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or lips, a seizure or is very drowsy and hard to wake.
Between multiple doses, booster shots and years of appointments, it is easy for a baby vaccination chart in India to become disorganized at home, especially if your child has seen more than one doctor or clinic. Keeping a physical or digital vaccination card up to date, and bringing it to every visit, makes it much easier for your pediatrician to confirm what has been completed and what is still due. If you have recently moved, switched pediatricians or simply lost track of your child’s vaccination history, the team at Genesiss Hospital can help review existing records and rebuild a clear, accurate schedule going forward.
The pediatric department offers vaccination as a core part of ongoing child care, not a separate errand. The team follows the IAP and WHO-recommended schedules, and our pediatric vaccination service covers the full immunization schedule from newborn to adolescence, catch-up vaccination plans for missed doses and travel vaccinations. Appointments are designed to be efficient and as low-stress as possible for both children and parents, with clear explanations of what each vaccine protects against and when the next dose is due.
Routine vaccines start at birth (BCG, oral polio, hepatitis B) and continue at 6, 10 and 14 weeks, then at 9 months (MMR), 12 months (hepatitis A), 15 months (MMR, varicella, PCV booster), 16 to 18 months, 4 to 6 years and 9 to 14 years (HPV), based on the IAP timetable. Your pediatrician confirms the exact schedule for your child.
The broad framework is similar for most children, but individual factors such as prematurity, specific health conditions or catch-up needs after a missed dose can change the exact timing. This is why the schedule above is general, and your pediatrician will confirm what applies to your child.
Missing a dose does not usually mean starting over. Most vaccination schedules allow for catch-up doses, and a pediatrician can design a revised timeline to get your child back on track as safely and quickly as possible.
Yes. Immunization guidelines are reviewed periodically by health authorities and pediatric bodies as new research and disease patterns emerge, which is exactly why this guide should be treated as general education and not a final, unchanging schedule.
No. The IAP recommends the HPV vaccine for both girls and boys aged 9 to 14 years, as a 2-dose schedule given 6 months apart. Older adolescents who start later need 3 doses. Ask your pediatrician about the right timing and vaccine for your child.
Mild fever, fussiness and soreness at the injection site are common and usually settle within a day or two. Keep your baby hydrated and comfortable, and see a doctor if the fever is high, lasts longer, or your baby is unusually drowsy, has trouble breathing or seems very unwell.
Often yes, but it depends on the child and the illness. A mild cold without fever usually does not delay vaccination, while a significant illness might. Your pediatrician will examine your child and decide whether to go ahead or reschedule.
Keeping your child’s vaccinations on schedule is one of the most valuable things you can do for their long-term health, and it does not need to be complicated. Book a vaccination consultation with Dr. Haridarshan G J at Genesiss Hospital, BTM Layout, to review your child’s current schedule, catch up on any missed doses or plan the appointments ahead. Call or visit Genesiss Hospital today to get your child’s vaccination record organized and up to date.
This guide summarizes the IAP-ACVIP timetable for general education. It is not a personal medical instruction, and schedules are updated periodically. Confirm your child’s schedule with a pediatrician.
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