Becoming a parent, especially a new parent comes with countless challenges and decisions, but one of the most important is making sure your baby gets the right vaccinations on time. In India, where infectious diseases still affect millions of babies and adults per year, vaccines are not just recommended but it is very essential.
Regular vaccination has helped India to reduce children's death from preventable diseases by around 90% in two last decades. Withover 25 million babies vaccinated every year, India now runs the world's largest and successful vaccination program.
This informative blog breaks down what are important vaccinations in India, vaccination schedules in a very informative and parent friendly way. No more confusing medical terms, just simple information you can trust from House of Zelena.
Table of Contents
Why Vaccination Matters So Much
India’s Official Vaccination Schedule
Science Behind Baby Vaccines
Vaccination are biomedical preparations that contain weakened, inactivated or purified components of the pathogen (such as proteins, polysaccharides or genetic material). These components do not cause any actual disease, but it will stimulate the immune system to find and recognize the pathogen and produce antibodies and memory cells against it.
This process is called active immunization. It trains the immune system and makes it remember, so when the child encounters the real pathogen later in his/her life, the body can immediately respond to it, preventing infection or reducing the severity of the disease.
Why Vaccination Matters So Much
The baby's immune system is weak and still developing. Properly vaccination will train the immune system to fight against deadly bacteria and viruses. Diseases like measles, whooping cough, pneumonia, polio, and meningitis once caused widespread deaths. Today, vaccines have reduced: Measles related deaths by 84%, Polio to zero since 2014 and childhood TB by 70%.
When around 90–95% of children are vaccinated, diseases struggle to spread — protecting newborns, pregnant women, and babies who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.
India’s Official Vaccination Schedule
India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) provides many vaccines free of cost in government hospitals and health centres.
1. At Birth
| Vaccine Name | Full Form / Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| BCG | Bacillus Calmette–Guérin | Protects against TB |
| Hepatitis B (Dose 1) | Hepatitis B Monovalent | Prevents chronic Hepatitis B |
| OPV 0 | Oral Polio Vaccine | Protects against polio |
2. 6 Weeks
| Vaccine Name | Full Form / Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Pentavalent 1 | DTP + Hib + Hep B | Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, pneumonia, meningitis |
| OPV 1 | Oral Polio Vaccine | Protects against polio |
| IPV 1 | Inactivated Polio Vaccine | Additional polio protection |
| Rotavirus 1 | Live attenuated rotavirus vaccine | Prevents severe diarrhoea |
| PCV 1 | Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine | Protects against pneumonia & meningitis |
3. 10 Weeks
| Vaccine Name | Full Form / Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Pentavalent 2 | DTP + Hib + Hep B | Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, pneumonia, meningitis |
| OPV 2 | Oral Polio Vaccine | Protects against polio |
| IPV 2 | Inactivated Polio Vaccine | Additional polio protection |
| Rotavirus 2 | Rotavirus Vaccine | Prevents severe diarrhoea |
| PCV 2 | Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine | Protects against pneumonia & meningitis |
4. 14 Weeks
| Vaccine Name | Full Form / Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Pentavalent 3 | DTP + Hib + Hep B | Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, pneumonia, meningitis |
| OPV 3 | Oral Polio Vaccine | Protects against polio |
| IPV 3 | Inactivated Polio Vaccine | Additional polio protection |
| Rotavirus 3 | Rotavirus Vaccine | Prevents severe diarrhoea |
5. 9–12 Months
| Vaccine Name | Full Form / Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| MR 1 | Measles–Rubella Vaccine | Protects against measles & rubella |
| PCV Booster | Pneumococcal Conjugate Booster | Extra protection from pneumonia & meningitis |
| JE Vaccine | Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine | Protects against brain infection. |
6. 16–24 Months
| Vaccine Name | Full Form / Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| DTP Booster 1 | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis | Booster protection DTP diseases |
| MR 2 | Measles–Rubella | Second dose for long-term immunity |
| OPV Booster | Oral Polio Vaccine | Additional polio protection |
| JE Booster | Japanese Encephalitis Booster | Booster shot (state-specific) |
Vaccine Costs in Private Clinics/Hospitals
In India, many essential baby vaccines are free under the government's national immunisation programme at government hospitals or public health centres. However, if you go to a private hospital or clinic, vaccines are not free and their costs depend on vaccine type and brand. Below is the approximate price range for common vaccines in private hospitals.
| Vaccine | Approximate Cost (₹) |
|---|---|
| BCG | ₹80 – ₹1,050 |
| Hepatitis B | ₹55 – ₹300 |
| OPV / IPV | OPV: ~₹50 – ₹270; IPV: ~₹250 – ₹500 |
| DTP + Hib + Hep B | ~₹550 – ₹800 |
| Rotavirus Vaccine | ~₹600 – ₹1,500 |
| Pneumococcal Conjugate | ~₹1,500 – ₹3,800 |
| Measles / MMR | ~₹150 – ₹600 |
How to Make Vaccination Less Stressful
Vaccination can be stressful and uncomfortable for babies, but with a few simple steps you can make the experience much simpler and stress free. After vaccination, provide cold press 2 to 3 times a day, breastfeeding after injection, and good hydration. Remember to stay relaxed, it helps your baby feel safe and soothed throughout the process.
Vaccines are one of the simplest and strongest ways to protect your baby from several deadly diseases. India’s vaccine program is very strong, widely available and scientifically proven to prevent millions of babies from deadly diseases. Also remember your baby's vaccination is much more than just a record, it's their first shield against disease and a healthier future.