Vaccination for Babies in India
Vaccination for babies in India is an unavoidable practice as the life and well-being of the infant depend on it. Parents make sure children are given certain vaccines within their first year to make sure they reach the age of maturity.
Keep reading to know more about which vaccines are given to infants and why.
Centralised or State-Level Baby Vaccination
The National Health Mission, which the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare runs, is responsible for immunisation programmes in India for children and adults.
The Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) is India’s largest initiative that targets newborns and pregnant women.
UIP offers vaccines for BCG, DTP, OPV, etc.
Which Are the Compulsory Vaccines for Babies in India?
The Universal Immunisation Program includes certain compulsory vaccines as a part of its programme. As mentioned before, there are multiple dosages and instances when to administer these vaccines.
BCG, OPV and Hep B are among the first vaccines needed for newborn babies.
Following them, the vaccines for 6-month old babies are DTP, HIB, Rotavirus, etc.
Below is a list of compulsory vaccines that every Indian infant should take.
Compulsory Vaccines [1]
At Birth
| Vaccine Name | Disease | Age and Dosage |
| BCG Vaccine for Tuberculosis | Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is administered to prevent tuberculosis in infants, The vaccine causes swelling at the site of administration, It is considered a mandatory vaccine as TB is responsible for millions of deaths per year, BCG is a well-known newborn baby vaccination. | At birth or as early as possible till one year of age, The dosage is 0.1 ml (intradermal) and given in the upper left arm. |
| Oral Polio Vaccine | OPV is a compulsory vaccination for babies in India, Polio is a disease that causes paralysis in children, Poliovirus lives in the throat and intestinal tract of a person and spreads by contact with faeces, Some children who get polio do not feel any symptoms, and others get symptoms similar to the common cold. In comparison, others may feel muscle pain and can be paralysed within a week, There is no treatment for polio, and some children may die from it, There are two types of polio vaccine: OPV (live, weakened vaccine administered orally) and IPV (killed polio vaccine administered by injection) | Within the first 15 days of birth or at birth, Two drops at birth, Follow it up with doses at six weeks, ten weeks, and 14 weeks, If opting for IPV, the first dose should be given at 6 to 8 weeks, follow it up with Dose 2 at 10-16 weeks and Dose 3 at 14-24 weeks with a booster at 16-18 months. |
| Hepatitis B (Hep B) | Hepatitis B virus causes Hepatitis B, It is found in blood and body fluids, People are infected when these fluids transmit from person to person, Using needles previously used by others may also transfer the disease from one person to another, Children are immunised to prevent any infection in the case of exposure to HBV-positive material, This is among the first vaccines given to a baby | Ten mcg dose in 0.5ml suspension through an intramuscular route at birth followed by Dose 2 at 6-8 weeks and Dose 3 at six months |
Vaccines at 6 Weeks
| Vaccine Name | Disease | Age and Dosage |
| DTP Vaccine | Healthcare professionals administer DTP (Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis) to children to prevent these three deadly diseases, Diptheria is a thick covering at the back of the throat. It causes breathing problems, paralysis and heart problems and even death in severe cases, Tetanus is a disease wherein the muscles of the body contract all over the body. It can lead to lockjaw and as a result of which the victim cannot swallow, Pertussis causes severe coughing spells that last for weeks. It can lead to pneumonia, brain damage, convulsions and even death, The first booster is usually given to children at the age of 6 weeks, 0.5ml of this vaccine is administered on the anterolateral mid-thigh left, Moreover, it is an intramuscular vaccine, In some cases, children who react adversely to the DTP shot should not get the second dose, Consult with a healthcare professional to know when to avoid the next dosage of DTP | At six weeks |
| Haemophilus Influenza B Virus (HIB) | It prevents brain and spine damage if causing meningitis, Hib bacteria can cause mild issues such as ear infections, bronchitis, or severe blood illnesses, Hib can also cause pneumonia, severe swelling of the throat, infections of the joints, bones, covering of the heart, and even death in extreme cases, There is only 1 dosage for this vaccine in the vaccination programme for babies in India | At six weeks, take Dose 1, followed Dose 2 at 10-16 weeks and Dose 3 at 14-24 weeks. |
| Rotavirus | Rotavirus is the cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and children, The virus enters the body through the mouth, Rotavirus in young children can result in severe diarrhoea, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic acidosis, This microbe spreads when it comes in contact with stool | At 6 weeks, followed by dosage at 10 and 14 weeks. |
| Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine | TCV is the latest group of required vaccinations for babies in India, It is a conjugate of tetanus and typhoid vaccines, It prevents typhoid fever between 9 months to 16 years, WHO has qualified it, Typhoid fever, caused by salmonella typhi, causes 11 million cases in a year and more than 1 lakh deaths, It spreads through contaminated food or water, The efficacy of the conjugate is 82% | Infants from 3 to 6 months need this vaccine. It is administered in the thigh, and for children above 2 years, it is given in the deltoid muscle. |
After 9 months
| Vaccine Name | Disease | Age and Dosage |
| MMR Vaccine for Measles | MMR is for measles, mumps and rubella, Measles is an infectious disease, causing stomach problems, ear infections, convulsions, brain damage and pneumonia, Mumps can lead to meningitis and encephalitis, Rubella is known as German measles. | Administered subcutaneously at 9 months, For small children, the injection is administered in the anterolateral part of the thigh, In older children, it is given in the posterior triceps of the upper arm, Take the second dosage at 4 to 6 years. |
After 12 months
| Vaccine Name | Disease | Age and Dosage |
| Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A affects the liver. The Hepatitis virus causes this disease, The disease is transmitted through the faecal-oral route because of poor sanitation, 1.5 million cases are reported each year, Around 85% of children below the age of 2 can be infected, It also causes jaundice in most cases | 2 doses at 6 months apart are given to children who are one year and older. |
What Are the Optional Vaccines for Babies in India?
The optional vaccines for babies in India are shown below!
Optional Vaccines
| Name of Disease | Disease | Age and Dosage |
| Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine | The vaccine protects against invasive pneumococcal disease, It is a significant cause of death in children in India, WHO recommends the vaccine, The disease can occur in multiple organ systems causing pneumonia, sepsis, sinusitis, bronchitis, middle ear infection, meningitis, It is transmitted by direct contact with cough or sputum | It is administered after 2 months of after. |
| Influenza | This vaccination for babies in India is crucial as it protects against influenza. | It is administered every year for infants above 6 months. |
| Chickenpox Varicella | Varicella-zoster VSirus causes Chickenpox, The disease lasts 1-2 weeks, It is not very dangerous in childhood with rash and fever. | Administer one shot after one year. |
| Japanese Encephalitis | The Culex mosquito carries Flavivirus which causes this disease, High fever, malaise, headache, the rigidity of the neck are some common symptoms. | 2 to 3 doses are taken after 18 months, especially in areas where pig farming is carried out. |
| Meningococcal Meningitis | A bacteria Neisseria meningitides cause it, 1.2 million cases occur every year, There are significant outbreaks in northern and northeastern states, This bacteria is transmitted through direct contact with droplets from the nose or throat and affects the upper respiratory tract, It primarily affects children, There is a sudden onset of headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, etc | There is a single intramuscular dose. |
| Cholera | Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal illness of the intestine, Vibrio cholera causes it. | From 2-year-old upwards, 2 oral doses are given of OCV, The vaccine has a short-term effect. |
Why Is It Important to Vaccinate Babies?
It is imperative to vaccinate babies. Vaccination for babies in India is also more essential as prevention is better than cure. Here are some reasons to explain the importance of immunisation.
It Is Better to Prevent a Disease Than to Cure It
Vaccination helps to prevent a disease from occurring. By injecting a weakened form of the virus or bacteria into the bloodstream, the body produces antibodies automatically. Hence, the body becomes immune to the disease later on.
Vaccines Prevent Unnecessary Complications
Some of the worst complications from diseases are disfigurement and death. Hence, to put off the inevitable and enjoy a healthy life, take vaccines. For example, babies exposed to whooping cough may die of the disease.
Long-term Protection
Maternal antibodies from breastfeeding do not give an infant all the protection it needs. Vaccines help to protect the child once the maternal antibodies begin to wear off. It is known as passive immunity. Once the body develops active immunity, it is ready to protect itself from diseases.
In conclusion, to know further what vaccines are given to babies, you may consult with your doctor or a healthcare professional.
Vaccination for babies in India is gaining government initiative as well. Hence, we are aware of the latest vaccines for children.
So, prepare for your baby’s vaccination programme today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I vaccinate my baby?
Vaccinate children from primary health centres (PHCs), Community Health Centers, hospitals, medical colleges, government health facilities, Anganwadi centres, etc.
Which vaccines does the UIP currently provide?
UIP provides 12 vaccines free of cost, and they are BCG, OPV/IPV, Hepatitis B, Pentavalent, Rotavirus, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, DPT, tetanus (TT), Japanese encephalitis, measles and rubella.
What happens if I miss out on some vaccination dosage?
If you miss out on some dosage for your child, consult with a health care professional as to when is a good time to take the next dose.