That little yellow or blue vaccination card handed to you at the hospital, covered in dates and abbreviations like "DTwP" and "PCV," can feel overwhelming for new parents (नए माता-पिता in Hindi, புதிய பெற்றோர்கள் in Tamil, ಹೊಸ ಪೋಷಕರು in Kannada). This guide breaks down India's child vaccination schedule for 2026 in plain language, covering both the government's free programme and additional vaccines commonly recommended by paediatricians.
1. Understanding India's Two Vaccination Schedules
India follows two complementary schedules. The Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), run by the Government of India, provides vaccines completely free at government hospitals, primary health centres (PHCs), and Anganwadi centres nationwide, covering the most critical vaccine-preventable diseases. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) schedule builds on this with additional recommended vaccines — such as typhoid conjugate vaccine, Hepatitis A, and annual influenza — generally available at private clinics for a fee. Most paediatricians in India recommend a combination of both, guided by family budget and access.
2. Vaccines from Birth Through 14 Weeks
| Age | Vaccines (UIP free + common IAP additions) |
|---|---|
| At birth | BCG, OPV-0 (oral polio), Hepatitis B birth dose |
| 6 weeks | DTwP/Pentavalent (DTP+Hib+HepB), OPV-1, IPV-1, Rotavirus-1, PCV-1 |
| 10 weeks | DTwP/Pentavalent-2, OPV-2, Rotavirus-2, PCV-2 |
| 14 weeks | DTwP/Pentavalent-3, OPV-3, IPV-2, Rotavirus-3, PCV-3 |
These early weeks carry the heaviest vaccine schedule, and this is intentional — young infants are most vulnerable to serious complications from these diseases, and giving multiple vaccines together at each visit is both safe and specifically designed to avoid delaying protection through unnecessary extra visits.
3. Vaccines from 6 Months to 2 Years
| Age | Vaccines |
|---|---|
| 6-9 months | Influenza (annual, IAP-recommended), Typhoid conjugate vaccine (IAP-recommended) |
| 9-12 months | MR (Measles-Rubella) 1st dose, Japanese Encephalitis-1 (in endemic districts), Vitamin A supplement |
| 12-15 months | Hepatitis A (IAP-recommended) |
| 16-24 months | DTwP/Pentavalent booster, OPV booster, MR 2nd dose, JE-2 (endemic districts) |
The Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is given specifically in districts where JE is considered endemic, so its inclusion depends on where you live — your local PHC or paediatrician can confirm whether it applies in your area. Vitamin A supplementation alongside routine vaccines at this stage supports overall immune health and is part of the standard government programme.
4. School-Age and Adolescent Vaccines
| Age | Vaccines |
|---|---|
| 4-6 years | DTwP/DTaP booster, OPV booster, MMR (2nd dose, if not already given) |
| 10 years | Tdap/Td booster (tetanus, diphtheria) |
| 14 years (girls) | HPV vaccine — now offered free nationally under an expanded 2026 government campaign to protect against cervical cancer |
| 16 years | Td booster |
5. What to Do If a Dose Is Missed
Life happens — illness, travel, or simply a missed appointment can mean a vaccine dose gets delayed. The important thing to know: a missed dose does not mean starting the entire series over. Your paediatrician will follow a catch-up immunisation schedule, continuing from where the series left off with appropriate spacing between doses, rather than restarting from scratch. If you've missed an appointment, book the next available one as soon as possible rather than waiting for the "right" scheduled date, since every week of delay leaves a gap in protection.
6. Keeping Track of Your Child's Vaccination Record
Paper vaccination cards are easily lost, damaged by water, or misplaced during a house move — and missing vaccination history often leads to unnecessary repeat doses or, worse, real gaps in protection that go unnoticed. Keeping a photo of the card on your phone as backup, or using a digital vaccination tracking app, provides a helpful safety net. This record becomes especially important later for school admission requirements, which increasingly ask for proof of immunisation.
7. Addressing Common Vaccine Concerns
Some parents encounter vaccine hesitancy content online, particularly around the MMR vaccine and unfounded autism claims — it's worth knowing clearly that this claim originated from a single, since-retracted 1998 study, and no credible scientific research conducted since has found any link between MMR and autism. The MMR vaccine has been extensively studied in hundreds of millions of children worldwide and remains strongly recommended by paediatric bodies including the IAP.
Vaccination remains one of the most effective, well-studied public health interventions available, and India's immunisation coverage has risen substantially in recent years as a direct result of sustained government and community effort. This falls under the broader scope of paediatric health that benefits enormously from staying on schedule rather than delaying out of uncertainty — your paediatrician is always the best resource for questions specific to your child's health history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vaccines are free under India's government immunisation programme?
The Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) provides free vaccines against BCG, polio (OPV/IPV), Hepatitis B, DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), Hib, rotavirus, pneumococcal disease (PCV), measles and rubella (MR), and Japanese encephalitis in endemic districts, among others. These are available at government hospitals, primary health centres, and Anganwadi centres at no cost.
What is the difference between the UIP and IAP vaccination schedules?
The UIP (Universal Immunisation Programme) is the government's free schedule covering the most critical vaccine-preventable diseases, available at public health facilities. The IAP (Indian Academy of Pediatrics) schedule builds on this with additional recommended vaccines, such as typhoid conjugate vaccine, Hepatitis A, and annual influenza, generally available at private clinics for a fee. Many paediatricians recommend a combination of both.
What happens if a vaccine dose is missed?
A missed dose does not mean the vaccination series needs to restart from the beginning. Your paediatrician will follow a catch-up schedule to complete the remaining doses with appropriate spacing, so it's important to see your doctor as soon as possible after a missed appointment rather than skipping it altogether.
Is the HPV vaccine now part of India's immunisation programme?
Yes, India launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign in early 2026 targeting 14-year-old girls to protect against cervical cancer, offered free of cost at government health facilities as part of an expanding national effort. Families should check with their local health centre or paediatrician for the latest availability in their area.
Can multiple vaccines be given in the same visit?
Yes, giving multiple vaccines during the same visit is safe and is in fact how the schedule is designed, particularly at the 6, 10, and 14-week visits, to ensure protection is not delayed by spreading vaccines across unnecessary extra visits. This approach is well-studied and does not overload a child's immune system.