How to book in India
Free government vaccines are given at government hospitals, Primary Health Centres, sub-centres and Anganwadi centres, and on fixed immunisation days. Many families register on the U-WIN / Co-WIN portal. Paediatricians also offer the IAP schedule privately.
U-WIN - Universal Immunization Programme portalTap any milestone to expand it. Each vaccine explains what it is, the diseases it prevents, and why it is given at that age.
BirthNewborn3 vaccines
Given at birth because tuberculosis is common in India. It protects babies against the most dangerous forms of TB.
Polio drops at birth. India has been polio-free since 2014 and keeps it that way with high vaccine coverage.
Given within 24 hours of birth to stop mother-to-baby spread of hepatitis B, which usually becomes a lifelong liver infection when caught in infancy.
6 weeksNewborn5 vaccines
One shot against five diseases. It replaces separate DTP and hepatitis B injections and adds Hib, a major cause of childhood meningitis and pneumonia.
First of three routine polio drop doses.
A small injected polio dose given with the drops for stronger, more complete protection.
Prevents severe rotavirus diarrhoea, a leading cause of young-child hospitalisation and death in India.
Now part of the national programme across India. Pneumonia is one of the biggest killers of Indian children under 5.
10 weeksNewborn3 vaccines
Second pentavalent dose.
Second polio drop dose.
Second rotavirus dose.
14 weeksNewborn5 vaccines
Third pentavalent dose, completing the primary course.
Third polio drop dose.
The second injected polio dose.
The final rotavirus dose.
Second pneumococcal dose.
9 to 12 monthsInfant4 vaccines
First measles and rubella dose. India is working towards eliminating both diseases; rubella in pregnancy can seriously harm an unborn baby.
The pneumococcal booster.
Given only in districts where Japanese encephalitis occurs. It protects against a mosquito-borne brain infection that can cause lasting disability.
A vitamin A dose given with the 9-month vaccines, then repeated every 6 months up to age 5.
16 to 24 monthsToddler4 vaccines
The second measles and rubella dose, needed for lasting protection.
A booster because protection from the baby doses fades during the second year.
A polio drop booster.
The second Japanese encephalitis dose in endemic districts.
5 to 6 yearsChild1 vaccine
The school-entry booster against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.
10 yearsChild1 vaccine
A booster at age 10 to keep tetanus and diphtheria protection strong through adolescence.
14 years (girls)Teen1 vaccine
Added to the Universal Immunization Programme in 2026: a free single dose for 14-year-old girls, using an Indian-made HPV vaccine. It prevents the infections that cause almost all cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in Indian women.
16 yearsTeen1 vaccine
The final routine tetanus and diphtheria booster of childhood, important before adulthood and any future pregnancies.
Given in addition to the routine schedule, for children who meet certain criteria.
When: Various ages
Who: The Indian Academy of Pediatrics also recommends hepatitis A, chickenpox, typhoid, influenza and MMR (in place of MR) for families able to access them privately.
How India compares with other countries for each vaccine, and the side effects that are normal.
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About the India schedule
India runs one of the world's largest immunisation programmes. The Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) provides childhood vaccines free through government hospitals, primary health centres and Anganwadi centres, and now covers around a dozen diseases.
The government schedule starts at birth with BCG, oral polio and hepatitis B, then continues at 6, 10 and 14 weeks, at 9-12 months, at 16-24 months and at 5-6 years, with tetanus boosters at 10 and 16 years. Some vaccines, such as Japanese encephalitis, are given only in districts where the disease occurs.
Many families also follow the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) schedule, which adds optional vaccines available privately.
How India compares
India's routine schedule protects against 13 diseases across 10 vaccination ages, 5 of them in the first year. By age 2 a child has had about 23 vaccine doses, including oral drops against polio and rotavirus.
Less common elsewhere: India routinely vaccinates against Tuberculosis (BCG) and Japanese encephalitis, which fewer than half of the other 13 countries on this site include for every child.
Not routine here: Mumps; Chickenpox (offered to some children - see the extra vaccines above); Meningococcal C; Meningococcal A, W, Y are routine in most of the other countries we cover but not on India's schedule for every child.
Compare India with any other country, disease by disease.
Behind schedule or new to India? Almost every dose still counts, and your clinic can plan a catch-up - see common questions.