At birth (first 24 hours)
BCG protects against tuberculosis meningitis and disseminated TB — critical in a country where TB is still endemic. Given as a single dose in the arm.
Hepatitis B birth dose prevents mother-to-child transmission of Hep B. Given in the thigh.
OPV zero dose (oral polio drops) is given during birth hospitalisation.
6 weeks
Pentavalent 1 — combines DTwP (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough), Hib (bacterial meningitis), and Hepatitis B in one injection.
OPV 1 — oral polio drops.
IPV 1 — injectable inactivated polio vaccine (used alongside OPV per IAP schedule).
Rotavirus 1 — protects against the most common cause of severe diarrhoea in babies.
PCV 1 — pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, protects against pneumonia and meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
10 weeks
Pentavalent 2, OPV 2, Rotavirus 2, PCV 2 — the second dose of the same vaccines given at 6 weeks. Skip IPV 2 if OPV is continuing.
14 weeks
Pentavalent 3, OPV 3, IPV 2, Rotavirus 3, PCV 3 — the third dose completes the primary series for most vaccines.
6 months
First influenza (flu) shot — annual, then a booster 4 weeks later, then annual thereafter.
Some paediatricians also give Hepatitis B booster around this time depending on the exact schedule used.
9 months
MMR 1 — measles, mumps, rubella. One of the most important vaccines. Measles is still a killer in India.
Second influenza dose if 4 weeks have passed since the first.
12 months
Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) — new IAP recommendation, one dose at 12 months protects against typhoid for years.
Hepatitis A 1 — a two-dose series, with the second at 18 months.
15 months
MMR 2 — second measles/mumps/rubella dose. Very important for herd immunity.
Varicella 1 — chickenpox vaccine, first dose.
PCV booster.
18 months
DTP booster (or DTaP/DTwP + IPV) — first booster of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis series.
Hib booster.
Hepatitis A 2 — completes the 2-dose series.
4–6 years
DTP booster 2, IPV booster, MMR 3 (optional per some schedules), Varicella 2.
10–12 years
Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) — pre-adolescent booster.
HPV vaccine (human papillomavirus) — 2 or 3 doses depending on age. Protects against cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers. IAP now strongly recommends HPV for both girls and boys.
Common questions Indian parents ask
'Fever after vaccine — is it OK?' — Yes, mild fever for 1-2 days is normal and expected. Paracetamol dose per baby's weight is fine.
'Missed a dose — do we restart?' — No. Just give the missed dose whenever you catch up. The series continues from where you left off.
'Government vs private vaccine — is one better?' — Both are effective. Private schedules include a few extras (Rotavirus, PCV, HPV, TCV) that offer broader protection.