Paediatrics · IAP

Childhood immunisation schedule

IAP

Source:Indian Academy of Pediatrics — ACVIP Recommended Immunisation Schedule (2023, refreshed)MoHFW Universal Immunisation Programme schedule (2023)

Verified Apr 2026

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Red Flags

Severe vaccine reaction (anaphylaxis, encephalopathy, severe persistent crying for >3 h) — refer adverse event for assessment; document and report; consult before subsequent doses^[1]
Live vaccine in immunocompromised child or pregnancy — generally contraindicated; review individualised; specialist input^[1]
Significant vaccine delay or refusal — outreach, catch-up schedule, address vaccine hesitancy with evidence-based counselling^[1]
Outbreak setting (measles, polio, diphtheria, JE) — supplementary immunisation activity; expand age range and accelerate catch-up^[1]

First-line treatment

Interventions

UIP schedule (free, government)^[1]
Birth: BCG, OPV-0, Hep B-0. 6w/10w/14w: Pentavalent (DTP-HepB-Hib), OPV, IPV (selected sites), PCV, Rota. 9 mo: MR-1, JE-1 (endemic), Vitamin A. 16–24 mo: DPT booster, OPV booster, MR-2, JE-2. 5–6 y: DPT-2 booster. 10 y/16 y: Td. Pregnancy: Td/Tdap × 2 doses
IAP-ACVIP additional schedule^[1]
Add Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) 9–12 mo, Hepatitis A 12 mo (×2 doses), Varicella 12 mo + 4–6 y, HPV girls (and boys per latest update) 9–14 y (2 doses), influenza annually, MMR (1st dose 9 mo + 2nd at 15 mo)
Catch-up immunisation^[1]
Use IAP catch-up tables; minimise gaps; combination vaccines reduce injection burden; document carefully on Kalandar/IAP card and digital records (CoWIN-derivative platforms)
Address vaccine hesitancy and counselling^[1]
Active listening; address specific concerns; cite local, evidence-based outcomes; tailor communication to caregiver; respect autonomy while reinforcing benefit; mass-campaign participation

First-line drug therapy

Drug	Class	Adult	Paediatric	Notes
Pentavalent vaccine (DTP-HepB-Hib)^[1]	Combination inactivated/conjugate vaccine	Not applicable — paediatric guideline	0.5 mL IM (anterolateral thigh in infants) at 6, 10, 14 weeks	Foundation of UIP infant schedule; combines diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, Hib; document lot number and site; expect mild fever and injection-site reaction
Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)^[1]	Live attenuated bacterial vaccine	Not applicable — paediatric guideline	0.05 mL intradermal at birth (or as soon as possible if delayed)	First dose at birth; left deltoid; small papule then ulcer is expected; contraindicated in known severe immunodeficiency
Measles-Rubella (MR) or MMR^[1]	Live attenuated viral vaccine	Not applicable — paediatric guideline	MR 1st dose 9 mo, 2nd dose 16–24 mo (UIP). MMR 1st dose 9 mo, 2nd dose 15 mo (IAP)	Critical for measles elimination; 95% coverage to interrupt transmission; live vaccine — defer 4 weeks if MR-1 already given
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)^[1]	Conjugate bacterial vaccine	Not applicable — paediatric guideline	0.5 mL IM at 6, 14 weeks + booster 9 months (UIP) — or per IAP/manufacturer schedule	PCV13 or PCV15 per local availability; reduces invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia; eligible up to 5 years for catch-up
Rotavirus vaccine (oral)^[1]	Live oral viral vaccine	Not applicable — paediatric guideline	5 drops PO at 6, 10, 14 weeks (UIP — Rotavac/Rotasiil); first dose by 15 weeks, last by 32 weeks (intussusception risk)	Strict age windows for first and last dose; defer if intercurrent severe gastroenteritis; live vaccine — caution in primary immunodeficiency household
HPV vaccine (Gardasil-9 or Cervavac)^[1]	Recombinant subunit vaccine	0.5 mL IM at 0, 6 months (2-dose) for adolescents 9–14 y; 0.5 mL IM at 0, 1–2, 6 months (3-dose) for ≥15 y	Adolescents 9–14 y: 0.5 mL IM × 2 doses 6 months apart	IAP recommends from age 9; 2-dose schedule under 15; reduces cervical and HPV-related cancers; counsel both girls and boys per latest schedules

Pentavalent vaccine (DTP-HepB-Hib)^[1]

Combination inactivated/conjugate vaccine

Adult: Not applicable — paediatric guideline
Paediatric: 0.5 mL IM (anterolateral thigh in infants) at 6, 10, 14 weeks

Foundation of UIP infant schedule; combines diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, Hib; document lot number and site; expect mild fever and injection-site reaction

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)^[1]

Live attenuated bacterial vaccine

Adult: Not applicable — paediatric guideline
Paediatric: 0.05 mL intradermal at birth (or as soon as possible if delayed)

First dose at birth; left deltoid; small papule then ulcer is expected; contraindicated in known severe immunodeficiency

Measles-Rubella (MR) or MMR^[1]

Live attenuated viral vaccine

Adult: Not applicable — paediatric guideline
Paediatric: MR 1st dose 9 mo, 2nd dose 16–24 mo (UIP). MMR 1st dose 9 mo, 2nd dose 15 mo (IAP)

Critical for measles elimination; 95% coverage to interrupt transmission; live vaccine — defer 4 weeks if MR-1 already given

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)^[1]

Conjugate bacterial vaccine

Adult: Not applicable — paediatric guideline
Paediatric: 0.5 mL IM at 6, 14 weeks + booster 9 months (UIP) — or per IAP/manufacturer schedule

PCV13 or PCV15 per local availability; reduces invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia; eligible up to 5 years for catch-up

Rotavirus vaccine (oral)^[1]

Live oral viral vaccine

Adult: Not applicable — paediatric guideline
Paediatric: 5 drops PO at 6, 10, 14 weeks (UIP — Rotavac/Rotasiil); first dose by 15 weeks, last by 32 weeks (intussusception risk)

Strict age windows for first and last dose; defer if intercurrent severe gastroenteritis; live vaccine — caution in primary immunodeficiency household

HPV vaccine (Gardasil-9 or Cervavac)^[1]

Recombinant subunit vaccine

Adult: 0.5 mL IM at 0, 6 months (2-dose) for adolescents 9–14 y; 0.5 mL IM at 0, 1–2, 6 months (3-dose) for ≥15 y
Paediatric: Adolescents 9–14 y: 0.5 mL IM × 2 doses 6 months apart

IAP recommends from age 9; 2-dose schedule under 15; reduces cervical and HPV-related cancers; counsel both girls and boys per latest schedules

Safety-net

Bring the immunisation card to every visit; never miss a dose if you can avoid it; mild fever, soreness, and irritability are expected and resolve in 1–2 days^[1]
If your child has a severe reaction (difficulty breathing, swelling of face, persistent severe crying, seizure) — same-day medical review^[1]
Catch-up is possible at any age — do not skip vaccinations even if delayed; speak to your paediatrician about a personalised plan^[1]

Referral criteria

Severe adverse event following immunisationAEFI committee notification; paediatrician for individualised future schedule^[1]
Immunocompromised child (primary, HIV, transplant, on immunosuppression)Paediatric immunology / specialist for live-vaccine eligibility and dose adjustments^[1]
Pre-international travelTravel medicine clinic for itinerary-specific vaccines (yellow fever, typhoid, JE, rabies pre-exposure)^[1]
Outbreak setting (measles, polio, diphtheria, JE)Public health response — supplementary immunisation activity^[1]

Clinical summary

Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) and IAP-ACVIP childhood vaccination schedule in adults and children, including catch-up and special situations.

References

1.Indian Academy of Pediatrics — ACVIP Recommended Immunisation Schedule (2023, refreshed); MoHFW Universal Immunisation Programme schedule (2023)

Drug

Class

Adult

Paediatric

Notes

Pentavalent vaccine (DTP-HepB-Hib)^[1]

Combination inactivated/conjugate vaccine