Baby’s first year packs in the most important vaccines of their life. The schedule runs in clear stages: at birth, then at 6, 10, and 14 weeks, and again around 9 months. Each visit protects against specific diseases at the age your baby is most vulnerable to them.
According to Dr. Kanhu Panda, an experienced Paediatrician in Bhubaneswar,
“The dates on the schedule aren’t suggestions. Each vaccine is timed to the exact age a baby’s immune system can respond to it and the age the disease is most dangerous. A dose given late still works, but it leaves a window open that didn’t need to be.”
What Vaccines Does My Baby Need in the First Year of Life?
Here’s how the first 12 months break down under India’s Universal Immunisation Programme.
|
Age |
Vaccines |
|
At Birth |
BCG (Tuberculosis), OPV-0 (Oral Polio Vaccine), Hepatitis B Birth Dose |
|
6 Weeks |
Pentavalent-1, OPV-1, IPV-1, Rotavirus-1, PCV-1 |
|
10 Weeks |
Pentavalent-2, OPV-2, Rotavirus-2, PCV-2 |
|
14 Weeks |
Pentavalent-3, OPV-3, IPV-2, Rotavirus-3, PCV-3 |
|
9 Months |
Measles-Rubella (MR) 1st Dose, JE-1 (in endemic districts), Vitamin A Dose |
|
Optional (Private/IAP Schedule) |
Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (9–12 Months), Additional vaccines as advised by the pediatrician |
That’s the government’s free schedule. Private and IAP schedules cover the same core vaccines, sometimes as separate injections rather than the combined Pentavalent, and may add the typhoid conjugate vaccine around 9 to 12 months. Many clinics now use painless vaccination formulations to make these visits easier on babies.
Want to keep your baby’s immunisations on track?
What if you miss a dose, and what to expect ?
Life happens, and doses get delayed. Here’s what actually matters.
- A missed dose doesn’t mean starting over. The schedule uses a catch-up approach. Your paediatrician resumes from where you left off, not back at the beginning.
- Mild reactions are normal. A low-grade fever for a day or two, some redness or swelling at the injection site, and a fussy baby are signs the vaccine is working, not cause for alarm.
- Know the red flags. A fever above 103°F, trouble breathing, a spreading rash, or a baby who seems very unwell in the 24 to 48 hours after a shot needs medical attention straight away.
- Keep the immunisation card. It’s the simplest way to track what’s done and what’s next, and you’ll need it for school admissions later.
The dates shift slightly between the government and IAP plans, so your paediatrician sets the exact calendar for your baby. For the full age-by-age breakdown, our guide to the vaccination schedule lays it out in detail.
Why Choose Rahat Hospital ?
Rahat Hospital is a women and child care centre in Saheed Nagar, Bhubaneswar, with paediatric and neonatal care at its core. Dr. Kanhu Panda, Paediatrician and Neonatologist, runs immunisation alongside a team handling newborn care, a Level-3 NICU, and routine child health. Painless vaccination, a maintained immunisation card, and reminders for the next due date all come as standard, so nothing slips through the cracks.
FAQs
How many vaccines does a baby need in the first year?
Under India’s free programme, babies are vaccinated at birth and at 6, 10, and 14 weeks, with a measles-rubella dose at 9 months. Together these protect against around ten diseases.
What vaccines are given at birth in India?
Three: BCG for tuberculosis, OPV-0 polio drops, and the Hepatitis B birth dose, ideally within the first 24 hours.
Is it safe to give a baby multiple vaccines on the same day?
Yes. Combined and same-day vaccines are well tested and safe. They protect your baby sooner and mean fewer clinic visits.
What should I do if my baby misses a vaccine dose?
Don’t restart the schedule. Book with your paediatrician, who will resume from the missed dose using a catch-up plan.
References
