Immunization Schedule – Vaccination Chart for Kids in India by Age for 2025-2026

Giving your child the right vaccination at the right time gives them the superpower to fight against diseases. Every vaccine that is prescribed at every age is their shield against various infections. You may wonder why an immunisation schedule is necessary at different stages in their growing-up phase, so here is a guide to why vaccinations are important and when your child needs them—following a government chart for immunisation for your child.

What is the Universal Immunization Schedule?

The national immunisation schedule is a guide or a roadmap designed by health experts to ensure that every child receives the right vaccination at the right stage in life. The timing for these vaccinations is very precise so that your child receives protection against the diseases at the right time.

With each vaccination, your child receives a protective layer of immunity against diseases and infections. Vaccinations allow them to grow healthier and more resilient.

Vaccination Chart for Kids in India for 2025

National Immunization Schedule – List of Vaccines for Children by Age

Here is an age-wise breakdown of the vaccines that children need at different stages. You may see these charts in clinics and hospitals but here is a parent-friendly version for you to understand better.

Vaccines at Birth

When your baby is just born, their immune system is just beginning to develop. The first vaccine your child receives is their protection against serious infections.

• BCG: This vaccine protects against tuberculosis, which can affect the lungs and other parts of the body.
• Hepatitis B: This disease affects the liver, and this is the first dose against it.
• Oral Polio Vaccine: This is a zero dose against polio, a disease that can lead to paralysis.

Vaccines at 6 Weeks

Your baby is ready for a little more protection, at 6 weeks your baby needs to be shielded from a couple of diseases mentioned below:

• DTwP/DTaP1: This vaccine guides your little one against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).
• Hib-1: This vaccine provides them protection against diseases like Haemophilus influenzae type B, which can lead to severe infections like meningitis.
• IPV-1: This vaccine is another layer of protection against polio.
• Hepatitis B (Hep B2): This is a second or a booster dose against Hepatitis B.
• PCV-1: In medical terms this is a Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, it protects your little one against pneumonia.
• Rota-1: Rotavirus is a leading cause of diarrhoea is children and this vaccine is the first dose of protection against it.

Vaccines at 10 Weeks

At 10 weeks your baby receives a round of booster doses from previous vaccines, as protection against diseases.

• DTwP/DTaP2: This vaccine is a second dose against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
• Hib-2: This is the next booster dose against Haemophilus influenza type B.
• IPV-2: This is a second dose against inactivated polio vaccine.
• PCV-2: This vaccine is a second or booster dose of pneumococcal vaccine.
• Rota-2: This vaccine is a booster or another layer of protection against Rotavirus.

Vaccines at 14 Weeks

By now your baby’s immune system is getting stronger with each dose and this round is only to add a layer of protection to the doses given before.

• DTwP/DTaP3: This is the third dose against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
• Hib-3: This is the final dose for Haemophilus influenzae type B.
• IPV-3: This is the third dose of protection against polio.
• PCV-3: This vaccine is the final dose of protection against pneumococcal disease.
• Rota-3: This vaccine is the third or final disease against the Rotavirus.

Vaccines at 6-7 Months

At this stage, the vaccine is mainly for the flu season

• Influenza-1: This is the first flu shot to protect your baby against seasonal flu.
• Influenza-2: This is a second flu shot given about a month later to provide added immunity against flu to your child.

Vaccines at 9 Months

If your baby is 9 months old, it is time for them to take the first shot of the MMR vaccine, and the JE-1 vaccine

• MMR 1: These vaccines protect your child against measles, mumps, and rubella. These diseases are highly complicated and can lead to serious complications.
• JE-1: The Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is for children who live in high-risk areas and provides them protection against Japanese Encephalitis, which affects the brain.
• PCV Booster: This is a booster shot against the Pneumococcal disease
• Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine: This vaccine must be given to your child to prevent them from typhoid fever.

Vaccines at 12 Months

Your child has just celebrated their first birthday, and now it is time for their first dose of Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis A-1: This is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis-A virus; the first dose is a protection for your child against this virus.

Vaccines at 16-24 Months:

At this age again, children are ready for their booster dose for vaccinations received before.

• MR-2: The vaccine is an added layer of protection against rubella and measles.
• JE-2: This shot is an added layer of protection against Japanese Encephalitis in high-risk areas.
• DPT Booster-1: This is the final dose of protection against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus.
• OPV Booster: This is the final booster for Oral Polio.
• Typhoid Conjugate Booster: This is another layer of protection against typhoid fever.

Vaccines at 5-6 Years

• DPT Booster-2: At this age, your child will receive the final dose of protection against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus.

Vaccines at 10 Years

• Td Vaccine: At this age, kids receive the final booster shot against Tetanus and adult diphtheria booster.

Where to Get Vaccines in India?

If you are a citizen of India, vaccinations for kids are available at government hospitals, private clinics, and various health centres. If you follow the Government Vaccination Chart for Babies in India, you will make sure that your child receives the right vaccination at the right age and time. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s vaccinations, you must consult your paediatrician immediately.

FAQs on Vaccinating Children

What happens if you don’t vaccinate your child?

Skipping vaccines puts your child at risk of contracting serious diseases that can cause lasting harm. Make sure your child receives their vaccinations timely.

Why is it crucial to vaccinate small children?

Vaccinating young children is essential because it safeguards them from diseases that can have serious, sometimes fatal, effects. Infants can catch infections faster and therefore it is important to vaccinate them timely.

Are there any risks associated with vaccines for children?

While most vaccines come with minimal risks, some children might experience mild side effects like a slight fever or tenderness where the shot was given.

Are unvaccinated children more likely to get sick?

Yes, children who aren’t vaccinated are more prone to illness. Without vaccines, they lack the immunity that protects against many infectious diseases.

What is the recommended time gap between vaccines for babies?

Ideally, babies should follow the standard schedule, with doses spaced to build immunity effectively. For instance, the first dose is typically given between 9 and 12 months, with a second dose around 16-24 months.

Will relying on vaccines weaken my child’s immune system?

No, vaccines work with the immune system, teaching it to recognise and combat germs. Whether immunity is built naturally or through a vaccine, the immune system becomes equipped to fight infections without becoming weaker.

Can getting multiple vaccines at once harm my baby?

Babies’ immune systems are far stronger than we often assume. Babies encounter and handle numerous germs every day, so the amount of vaccines is a small fraction of what they’re already used to managing. Vaccines are specially designed to be safe, even when given in combination.