India Vaccination Schedule Calculator — IAP 2026
Reviewed by Dr Abhas Gupta, MBBS, MD, DNB (Paediatrics), PDCC (Paediatric Rheumatology) — last reviewed September 14, 2026 (Bio)
Calculate your child's exact vaccination due dates based on their date of birth. Compare the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) private schedule with the Government Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), check overdue doses, and print a clean fridge-ready record.
Calculate Immunization Schedule
Sample Immunization Milestones & Due Dates
| Milestone Age | Vaccine & Dose | Diseases Protected Against | Recommended Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | BCG, OPV 0, Hepatitis B (Birth Dose) | Tuberculosis, Polio, Hepatitis B vertical transmission | Within 24 to 48 hours of birth |
| 6 Weeks | Hexavalent (DTwP/DTaP + IPV + Hib + Hep B), PCV 1, Rotavirus 1 | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio, Hib Meningitis, Hepatitis B, Pneumonia, Severe Diarrhea | Minimum 6 weeks of life |
| 10 Weeks | Hexavalent 2, PCV 2, Rotavirus 2 | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Hib, Hep B, Pneumococcal pneumonia, Rotavirus diarrhea | 4 weeks after dose 1 |
| 14 Weeks | Hexavalent 3, PCV 3, Rotavirus 3 | Complete primary infant shield against 8 lethal pathogens | 4 weeks after dose 2 |
| 6 to 9 Months | Influenza (Dose 1 & 2), Typhoid Conjugate (TCV) | Seasonal Influenza strains, Salmonella Typhi (Enteric fever) | 4-week gap between flu doses |
| 9 Months | MMR 1 (or MR 1) | Measles, Mumps, Rubella | At 9 completed months |
| 12 Months | Hepatitis A (Dose 1), PCV Booster | Hepatitis A jaundice, Invasive pneumococcal disease | At 12 completed months |
| 15 to 18 Months | MMR 2, Varicella 1 (Chickenpox), DTP Booster 1 + IPV | Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chickenpox, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis | Secures preschool immunity |
Clinical Guide: Childhood Immunization in India (2026)
1. Understanding the Dual Immunization Framework in India
India operates with two complementary vaccination frameworks: the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) administered by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and the Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Immunization Practices (ACVIP) guidelines published by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP). The UIP provides free public health protection against severe childhood killers. The IAP schedule encompasses every UIP vaccine and recommends additional antigens providing broader individual protection—including expanded conjugate pneumococcal strains, annual influenza vaccines, hepatitis A, varicella (chickenpox), typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV), and human papillomavirus (HPV).
2. The Critical Infant Window: Birth to 14 Weeks
The first 14 weeks represent the most critical period for building maternal-independent antibodies in your baby. At birth, newborns receive BCG against severe childhood tuberculosis, Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV zero dose), and Hepatitis B birth dose within 24 hours. At 6, 10, and 14 weeks, the primary hexavalent or pentavalent series is administered alongside Rotavirus oral drops and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV).
3. The 6-Month to 18-Month Booster Phase
As maternal antibodies decline between 6 and 9 months of age, infants require booster challenges to sustain memory B-cell protection: first influenza doses at 6 months, Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine at 6-9 months, primary MMR at 9 months, Hepatitis A at 12 months, and DTP + IPV boosters at 16 to 18 months.
4. What to Do if You Miss a Scheduled Vaccine (Catch-Up Rules)
A delayed dose never requires restarting the series from the beginning. In pediatric medicine, immune memory does not expire. If a vaccine is missed, calculate the minimum permissible interval from the last dose and administer the overdue vaccine at the earliest opportunity.
5. Safe Home Care After Vaccination
Mild fever, local swelling at the injection site, and temporary fussiness for 24 to 48 hours are normal physiological signs of active immune stimulation. Apply a cool, damp cloth gently to the injection site. Offer frequent breastfeeds or fluids. Administer weight-appropriate paracetamol drops strictly according to your pediatrician's prescription if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions on India Vaccination
What is the key difference between the IAP and UIP vaccination schedules in India?
The Government Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) provides free essential public health vaccines. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) schedule includes all UIP vaccines plus additional recommended vaccines offering broader individual protection—such as expanded PCV strains, annual Influenza, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis A, Typhoid Conjugate, and HPV.
What should I do if my baby has missed a scheduled vaccine dose?
Do not restart the vaccine schedule from the beginning. In pediatric medicine, missed or delayed doses are simply administered according to catch-up schedules. Contact your pediatrician promptly to administer the overdue dose and maintain minimum intervals.
Can my baby receive vaccines if they have a mild cough, cold, or low-grade fever?
Yes. Minor illnesses such as mild colds, runny nose, or low-grade fevers below 100°F (37.8°C) are not contraindications to routine vaccination. If your child has high fever or severe lethargy, vaccination is usually postponed by a few days.
Is the painless (acellular / DTaP) vaccine as effective as the traditional (whole-cell / DTwP) vaccine?
Both vaccines produce excellent protection. The whole-cell DTwP vaccine causes more temporary fever and swelling but slightly longer-lasting pertussis immunity. The acellular DTaP vaccine causes significantly fewer side effects and lower incidence of high fever.
Which vaccines are strictly required at birth in India?
Within the first 24 to 48 hours after delivery, newborns in India should receive three standard immunizations: BCG (tuberculosis protection), Hepatitis B birth dose (preventing vertical transmission), and Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV zero dose).
Why does the IAP recommend annual influenza (flu) shots for young children?
Influenza viruses mutate every season. Young infants have developing airways placing them at higher risk of severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia. The IAP recommends two initial doses 4 weeks apart in the first year of flu vaccination, followed by an annual booster.