Baby Vaccination Chart India: 0 to 5 Years Schedule

India follows a national vaccination schedule called the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). For babies, the main doses fall at birth, 6, 10 and 14 weeks, 9 to 12 months, and 16 to 24 months, with boosters at 5 to 6 years.

This guide lists those ages in plain language, shows how the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) schedule differs, and explains what to do if a dose is late. Schedules are updated from time to time, so always confirm the current dates with your doctor.

How India’s vaccination schedule works

The UIP began in 1985 and is run by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. According to a Government of India (PIB) document, it provides vaccines free of cost to newborns, children, adolescents and pregnant women against 12 diseases, including tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, measles, rubella, hepatitis B, rotavirus diarrhoea and pneumococcal pneumonia. Japanese encephalitis vaccine is given only in districts where the disease is common.

Many families also see a paediatrician who follows the IAP timetable. The two schedules overlap a great deal. The IAP list simply adds vaccines that are not part of the national programme, so many parents combine them on their doctor’s advice.

Government (UIP) schedule from birth to 5 years

The ages below follow the schedule published by the Government of India. Your child’s health card will carry the exact dates.

• At birth: BCG, oral polio vaccine (zero dose) and the hepatitis B birth dose
• 6 weeks: oral polio (1st), pentavalent (1st), rotavirus (1st), fractional injectable polio (1st) and pneumococcal (1st)
• 10 weeks: oral polio (2nd), pentavalent (2nd) and rotavirus (2nd)
• 14 weeks: oral polio (3rd), pentavalent (3rd), rotavirus (3rd), fractional injectable polio (2nd) and pneumococcal (2nd)
• 9 to 12 months: measles-rubella (1st dose), pneumococcal booster, and Japanese encephalitis (1st dose, endemic districts only)
• 16 to 24 months: measles-rubella (2nd dose), DPT booster, oral polio booster, and Japanese encephalitis (2nd dose, endemic districts only)
• 5 to 6 years: second DPT booster

Later boosters of tetanus and diphtheria (Td) are given at 10 and 16 years. Pregnant women receive Td doses too, which protects the newborn. The same document notes that a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls began in 2026.

What the IAP schedule adds

The IAP’s 2023 timetable, published in Indian Pediatrics, uses similar early ages but names more vaccines for routine use. Among them:

• Influenza: from 6 months, repeated every year before the monsoon until 5 years of age
• Typhoid conjugate vaccine: between 6 and 9 months, with no booster recommended
• Hepatitis A: from 12 months, with a second dose at 18 to 19 months only if the inactivated vaccine is used
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella): first dose at 9 months, second at 15 months, third at 4 to 6 years
• Varicella (chickenpox): first dose at 15 months, second at 18 to 19 months
• HPV: two doses for girls and boys aged 9 to 14 years

The IAP also notes that if a combination (hexavalent) vaccine is not affordable for a family, the baby can receive primary doses at a government facility under the UIP schedule. Which vaccines your child needs, and in which brand, is a decision for you and your paediatrician.

When to be cautious: do not rely on a chart you saw on social media or a forwarded message. Schedules change, and some doses depend on your district or your child’s health. Match any chart against your child’s own vaccination card and your doctor’s advice.

Keeping track of your baby’s record

A vaccination card is issued at the first dose, usually at birth. Keep it safe and carry it to every health visit. India also has a digital registry called U-WIN for routine immunisation, which can issue an electronic vaccination certificate. Ask your health centre whether your baby is registered, and check the official portal for current features.

Tip: take a clear photo of every page of the card and save it on your phone. Mark the next due date on your calendar, and set a reminder one week ahead.

What if a dose is missed or late?

A missed dose can often be given later, and the doctor will rearrange the visit. The NHS makes the same point: vaccines on time give the best protection, but you can usually catch up on most of them if a dose is missed.

• Tell the doctor or health worker the date of the last dose given
• Bring the card so no dose is repeated or skipped by mistake
• Ask whether the child needs any extra visit before the next due age
• Do not wait for a “better time”; delay leaves your baby unprotected for longer

Catch-up rules differ between vaccines, so the right plan depends on the specific vaccine and your child’s age. Your doctor will set it for you.

Common worries about vaccines

Myth: I should wait for a “better time” if my baby seems unwell

Fact: whether to vaccinate during an illness is a medical decision. Ask your doctor instead of postponing on your own.

Myth: vaccines are only needed in the first year

Fact: boosters continue at 16 to 24 months, 5 to 6 years, and again in adolescence. Each stage of the schedule protects against a different risk.

Myth: breast milk alone is enough protection

Fact: breast milk is wonderful for babies, but mothers pass on antibodies that protect only for a short time. Vaccines build your baby’s own long-term defence.

When to see a doctor

Talk to your doctor soon if your baby has any of these after a vaccine:

• Fever with unusual sleepiness, or a baby who is hard to wake
• Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or lips, or a widespread rash
• Non-stop crying that cannot be soothed for several hours
• A convulsion or limp, unresponsive body
• Redness or swelling at the injection site that keeps spreading

For difficulty in breathing, a seizure or a baby who looks very unwell, go to the nearest emergency department straight away or see our emergency care page.

Where to learn more

For newborn basics, see our guide on the importance of vaccination for newborn babies and our newborn care tips for first-time parents. Our postnatal and newborn care speciality supports mothers and babies after delivery.

Talk to a doctor

If you are unsure which vaccines your baby has had or which are due next, bring the vaccination card for a review. You can book an appointment or call +91 944 103 0587. This article is for general awareness and is not a substitute for a doctor's advice.