The child vaccination schedule in India 2026 covers protection against 12 or more vaccine-preventable diseases from the day of birth through to age 12, following guidelines from the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) and the Government of India's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). Keeping track of which vaccines are due, when, and which are available free can be confusing — this complete chart covers everything Indian parents need to know.

Why Does the Vaccination Schedule Matter So Much?

Each vaccine in the schedule is timed carefully to match when a child's immune system is ready to respond and when they are most vulnerable to the disease. A vaccine given too early may not work because maternal antibodies can interfere; given too late, it leaves a dangerous window of susceptibility.

In India, vaccine-preventable diseases remain a significant cause of child deaths. Measles, whooping cough (pertussis), and bacterial meningitis together account for hundreds of thousands of infant hospital admissions each year. The IAP 2026 schedule, updated annually to incorporate new evidence and new vaccines, is the most comprehensive guidance for protecting Indian children.

Government UIP Vaccines vs IAP Recommended Vaccines: What Is the Difference?

Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) vaccines are provided free of cost at all government health facilities — PHCs, CHCs, sub-centres, government hospitals, and during outreach sessions. The UIP currently provides 12 vaccines against 13 diseases.

IAP Recommended vaccines include all UIP vaccines plus several additional vaccines that provide broader protection. These additional vaccines are primarily available at private paediatricians' clinics and are paid for by the family.

The most important additional IAP vaccines not yet in UIP include:

• Rotavirus vaccine (partially in UIP — coverage expanding)
• PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine)
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid conjugate vaccine
• Meningococcal vaccine (high-risk groups)
• HPV vaccine (partially included in national program for girls)

Complete Child Vaccination Chart: Birth to 12 Years (IAP 2026)

At Birth (0–24 hours)

BCG must be given within 24 hours of birth for maximum effectiveness. The OPV birth dose provides critical intestinal protection against polio virus.

At 6 Weeks (42 Days)

The pentavalent vaccine (given at government centres) covers DTwP + Hib + Hepatitis B in a single injection.

At 10 Weeks

At 14 Weeks

At 6 Months

At 9 Months

At 12 Months

At 15 Months

At 18 Months

At 2 Years

At 4–6 Years

At 10–12 Years

Important Notes on the IAP 2026 Schedule

DTwP vs DTaP: DTwP (whole-cell pertussis) is used in government hospitals and is free. DTaP (acellular pertussis) is available at private clinics — it has a lower rate of fever and local reactions. Both are equally effective. IAP recommends using the same type for all doses in a series where possible.

IPV vs OPV: India uses both injectable IPV and oral OPV. IPV provides systemic immunity; OPV provides gut immunity that prevents virus shedding. Both are needed for India's polio-free status.

Rotavirus: Three brands are used in India — Rotarix (2 doses), RotaTeq (3 doses), Rotavac (3 doses — the government brand). Rotavac is available free at government centres in most states.

Common Questions from Indian Parents About Vaccination

Can my baby receive multiple vaccines in one visit?

Yes, and this is recommended. Getting multiple vaccines in one visit is safe, reduces visits, and ensures protection is not delayed. The IAP schedule is specifically designed so that multiple vaccines are given simultaneously at 6, 10, and 14 weeks to offer maximum protection early in life.

What if a vaccine dose is missed or delayed?

A missed dose does not mean starting the series over. Your paediatrician will follow the catch-up immunisation schedule — most vaccines can be given later with appropriate spacing. The general rule is: never restart, just continue. There is no upper age limit for most childhood vaccines if doses were missed.

My baby has a mild cold — can vaccination still be given?

Yes. Minor illnesses like a runny nose, mild cough, or low-grade fever (below 38°C) are not contraindications for vaccination. Delaying vaccines for minor illnesses leaves children vulnerable unnecessarily. A high fever (above 38.5°C), recent antibiotic use for serious infection, or known allergy to a vaccine component are valid reasons to delay — discuss with your paediatrician.

Is the MMR vaccine safe? I have heard concerns.

The MMR vaccine is extremely safe and has been studied in hundreds of millions of children worldwide. The claim linking MMR to autism was based on a fraudulent 1998 study that has been fully retracted, and the author lost his medical licence. No credible scientific study has found any link between MMR and autism. IAP strongly recommends the MMR vaccine.

How to Track Your Child's Vaccination Records in Ayu

Most Indian families receive a paper vaccination card from their hospital or government health centre. These cards are easily lost, damaged by water, or left behind during house moves. Missing vaccination history leads to unnecessary repeat doses or gaps in protection.

With Ayu, you can:

• Photograph and store every vaccination entry as a permanent digital record
• Create individual profiles for each child in the family
• Set automatic reminders 1 week before each upcoming vaccine is due (based on the IAP schedule)
• Add the vaccine name, batch number, and clinic details for each dose
• Share the vaccination record with any new paediatrician via QR code in seconds
• Keep the record accessible even when visiting grandparents in another city

When your child starts school, Ayu provides instant access to proof of vaccination — no more searching through piles of papers.

Download Ayu and set up your child's vaccination record today

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which vaccines are completely free at government hospitals in India?

The following vaccines are currently free under India's Universal Immunisation Programme: BCG, OPV, Hepatitis B, Pentavalent (DTwP + Hib + HepB), IPV (being expanded), Rotavac (rotavirus), Measles/MMR, Vitamin A, and JE vaccine (in endemic states). HPV vaccine for girls is now part of the national program.

Q: What is the difference between DPT and Pentavalent vaccine?

DPT (or DTwP) protects against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus — three diseases. Pentavalent adds protection against Hepatitis B and Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b, which causes meningitis and pneumonia) — covering five diseases in one injection. The government now uses Pentavalent routinely instead of DPT alone.

Q: Is the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine necessary if my child can get the natural disease?

IAP strongly recommends the varicella vaccine. While chickenpox is often mild, it can cause severe complications including bacterial skin infections, pneumonia, and brain inflammation (encephalitis), especially in young children and immunocompromised individuals. Two doses of varicella vaccine provide over 98% protection. Natural infection offers lifelong immunity but at the cost of the disease itself and risk of complications.

Q: What is the typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) and why is it different from the old typhoid vaccine?

TCV is the newer, more effective typhoid vaccine now recommended by IAP and WHO. It uses a conjugate technology that generates stronger, longer-lasting immunity than the older Vi polysaccharide vaccine — and importantly, it works in children under 2 years, who could not receive the old vaccine. TCV is given from 9–12 months onwards with a booster at 2 years.

Q: My child received vaccines at a government hospital. How do I know if the cold chain was maintained?

Government hospitals are required to maintain the cold chain (2–8°C for most vaccines). You can look for a Vaccine Vial Monitor (VVM) — a small circle on the vial that changes colour if exposed to excessive heat. If the inner circle is darker than the outer ring, the vaccine should not be used. Report any concerns to the health worker.

Q: Does my child need any vaccines before travelling internationally?

Additional vaccines may be needed depending on the destination. Common travel vaccines include Hepatitis A, typhoid, meningococcal, yellow fever (mandatory for some countries), and Japanese encephalitis. Consult a travel medicine doctor or your paediatrician at least 6–8 weeks before travel.

Q: Where can I find the AEFI (Adverse Events Following Immunisation) helpline in India?

Report any serious adverse event after vaccination to your nearest government hospital and to the AEFI surveillance system via the national helpline. The AEFI programme is managed by the Ministry of Health. Most post-vaccination reactions (fever, soreness at injection site) are normal and resolve within 1–2 days. Paracetamol can be given for fever per your paediatrician's advice.

References

1. Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP). Recommended Immunization Schedule 2026. https://iapindia.org
2. National Health Mission. Universal Immunisation Programme. https://nhm.gov.in
3. UNICEF India. Immunization Coverage Data. https://data.unicef.org/country/ind/