Your child may also have dates from a private doctor. These visits can add vaccines for flu, typhoid, hepatitis A, chickenpox, mumps and human papillomavirus. The human papillomavirus vaccine protects against virus types linked with certain cancers. Added vaccines depend on age, earlier doses, health and travel.
A doctor or trained health worker should confirm each next dose. Illness, travel or missed vaccines can change the next date. Only a health worker should change a date or plan another dose.
Key takeaways for parents
- ✓The hepatitis B birth dose is due within 24 hours.
- ✓Government centres provide all vaccines in the national schedule free of charge.
- ✓Most delayed doses need catch-up, not a new course.
- ✓Government and private visits can be combined after a doctor checks the record.
- ✓Private bills may include vaccine, consultation and injection charges.
- ✓Carry every paper and digital vaccine record to each visit.
Should you choose government or private vaccination?
Start with every vaccine offered free under the government schedule. These vaccines cover major childhood infections and cost ₹0 at government facilities. Your doctor may add other vaccines after checking age, health, earlier doses and travel.
Free does not describe vaccine quality. Private clinics may offer added vaccines, different brands or combination products. A doctor can count a dose from either service after checking its date and the vaccine record.
UNICEF confirms that free government vaccination starts at birth. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics provides the private schedule used below.
Vaccines your child needs at each age
Government centres provide national schedule vaccines free of charge. Private clinics may add other vaccines at different ages. Private amounts below cover vaccine products only. Doctor, injection and hospital fees may be extra.
Government dates follow the UNICEF age-by-age vaccination schedule. Private dates follow the Indian Academy of Pediatrics schedule, published in April 2026.
| Child age | Free government vaccines | Vaccines in the private schedule | Estimated private vaccine cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | Tuberculosis, oral polio and hepatitis B | Tuberculosis, oral polio and hepatitis B | ₹200 to ₹700 |
| 6 weeks | Oral polio, 5-in-1, rotavirus, small-dose polio injection and pneumococcal vaccine | 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 combination, injected polio, rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccine | ₹2,500 to ₹10,300 |
| 10 weeks | Oral polio, 5-in-1 and rotavirus | Second 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 combination, injected polio, rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccine | ₹2,500 to ₹10,300 |
| 14 weeks | Oral polio, 5-in-1, rotavirus, small-dose polio injection and pneumococcal vaccine | Third 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 combination, injected polio, pneumococcal vaccine and third rotavirus dose when required | ₹2,500 to ₹10,300 |
| 6 and 7 months | No scheduled government vaccine at these exact ages | First and second seasonal flu doses | ₹1,800 to ₹6,000 for both doses |
| 6 to 9 months | No routine typhoid vaccine | 1 typhoid conjugate vaccine dose | ₹1,500 to ₹2,700 |
| 9 to 12 months | Measles and rubella, small-dose polio injection, pneumococcal booster, Vitamin A supplement and Japanese encephalitis vaccine in selected districts | Measles, mumps and rubella at 9 months; hepatitis A at 12 months | ₹1,800 to ₹3,800 across 2 visits |
| 15 months | No scheduled government vaccine at exactly 15 months | Measles, mumps and rubella, chickenpox and pneumococcal booster | ₹3,200 to ₹7,800 |
| 16 to 24 months | Measles and rubella, oral polio and diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough boosters; Japanese encephalitis vaccine in selected districts | Combination booster at 16 to 18 months; chickenpox and product-based hepatitis A dose at 18 to 19 months | ₹2,500 to ₹9,700 across 2 visits |
| 2 to 5 years | No routine vaccine at every visit; Vitamin A continues every 6 months | Seasonal flu once each year | ₹900 to ₹3,000 yearly |
| 4 to 6 years | Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough booster at 5 to 6 years | Combination booster, injected polio and measles, mumps and rubella | ₹1,200 to ₹5,700 |
| 9 to under 15 years | Eligible girls receive 1 free human papillomavirus vaccine dose at age 14 | Human papillomavirus vaccine for girls and boys | ₹2,300 to ₹10,850 per dose |
| 10 years | Tetanus and diphtheria booster | Booster that may also include whooping cough protection | ₹1,250 to ₹2,100 |
| 15 to 18 years | Tetanus and diphtheria booster remains due at age 16 | 3-dose human papillomavirus course for girls and boys starting from age 15 | ₹6,900 to ₹32,550 for 3 doses |
| 16 to 18 years | Tetanus and diphtheria booster at age 16 | Tetanus and diphtheria booster, with or without whooping cough protection | ₹50 to ₹2,100 |
Private costs can be lower when government and private services are combined. A doctor must check every earlier dose before preparing the next schedule.
At birth
The hepatitis B birth dose should be given within 24 hours. Oral polio birth drops can be given within the first 15 days. Ask the hospital to record all birth vaccines before discharge.
If a birth dose was missed, contact a doctor or government centre promptly. The doctor should set the next date from the birth record.
At 6 weeks
The government 5-in-1 injection protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B and Hib infection. Hib is a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and pneumonia.
A private clinic may use a 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 combination. Some combinations include injected polio and reduce the number of injections. Rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines remain separate.
Ask the clinic to name the product and every vaccine inside it. The written record should show each vaccine part, not only the brand.
At 10 weeks
Injected polio and pneumococcal vaccines are not due at 10 weeks under the government schedule. Both are due under the private schedule. A doctor should count earlier doses before using private dates.
Rotavirus products use either 2 or 3 doses. Keep the product name so the next clinic can finish the correct course.
At 14 weeks
A third rotavirus dose is needed only when the product uses a 3-dose course. Do not add a third dose to a 2-dose course unless a doctor advises it.
A 6-in-1 product may include an extra hepatitis B dose. The doctor should count every vaccine inside the combination before planning another dose.
At 6 and 7 months
A child getting a flu vaccine for the first time needs 2 doses. Keep at least 4 weeks between them. The first can be given at 6 months and the second near 7 months.
Between 6 and 9 months
The current private schedule uses 1 typhoid conjugate vaccine dose. No routine booster is needed after this vaccine.
Older typhoid products may follow different rules. Record the full vaccine name and date so the doctor can identify the product.
Between 9 and 12 months
Vitamin A is given during the government visit, but it is not a vaccine. Japanese encephalitis vaccine is offered only in selected districts. This mosquito-borne infection can harm the brain.
The government lists districts covered for Japanese encephalitis. The government measles and rubella vaccine does not include mumps. A private measles, mumps and rubella vaccine adds that protection.
At 12 months
Hepatitis A products use either 1 dose or 2 doses. Ask which product was given and whether another dose is needed.
Write the product name and next due date on the record before leaving. Do not add a second dose unless the product requires it.
At 15 months
Your child may have received a government pneumococcal booster between 9 and 12 months. Show that record before another dose. The doctor should check the earlier product and dose count first.
The second chickenpox dose follows later at 18 to 19 months. Keep the product name and first-dose date for that visit.
Between 16 and 24 months
Government and private booster dates overlap. Show the full record before either visit so your child does not receive an unneeded repeat.
A second hepatitis A dose is due only with a 2-dose product. The second chickenpox dose follows 3 to 6 months after the first.
Vitamin A dose 2 is also given during the government visit. Vitamin A is a supplement, not a vaccine.
From age 2 to 5 years
Government centres give Vitamin A every 6 months through age 5. These visits provide a supplement, not a vaccine. A child with missed vaccines may also receive catch-up doses.
The private schedule continues flu vaccination once each year through age 5. Children at higher risk may need yearly flu vaccination after age 5.
Between 4 and 6 years
Government and private booster ages overlap between 4 and 6 years. Take the full record because both visits cover some of the same protection.
The doctor should count every earlier booster before giving another combination. Do not repeat a vaccine only because the clinic or brand changed.
Between 9 and 15 years
Human papillomavirus vaccination can start at age 9. It protects against virus types linked with cervical and other cancers. The dose count changes with age, sex and immune health.
The private schedule uses 1 dose for girls aged 9 to under 15 whose immune system is not weakened. Boys in this age group receive 2 doses, 6 months apart.
Girls aged 14 can receive 1 free Gardasil-4 dose under the national programme. The dose is voluntary and needs parent or guardian consent. India started free vaccination for eligible girls on 28 February 2026.
Between 15 and 18 years
Girls and boys starting human papillomavirus vaccination from age 15 need 3 doses. They are given at the first visit, 2 months later and 6 months after the first.
The government gives a free tetanus and diphtheria booster at age 16. A private doctor may give the same booster with or without whooping cough protection between 16 and 18 years.
Earlier records decide which teenage booster is due. Take the full vaccination record rather than relying on memory.
What each private vaccine may cost in India
Each amount is an estimated vaccine price for 1 dose unless noted. Doctor, injection and hospital charges are not included. Prices were checked on 21 August 2026. The clinic, city, brand and available stock can change the amount.
| Private vaccine or product | Estimated vaccine-only price per dose | What to check before paying |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-cell 5-in-1 vaccine | ₹400 to ₹900 | Injected polio is not included |
| Pentaxim 5-in-1 | ₹3,000 to ₹3,350 | Hepatitis B is not included |
| Hexaxim 6-in-1 | ₹3,000 to ₹4,500 | Hepatitis B and injected polio are included |
| Injected polio vaccine | ₹400 to ₹900 | Check whether the combination already includes it |
| Pneumococcal vaccine | ₹1,100 to ₹4,000 | Brand and types covered change the price |
| Rotavirus vaccine | ₹600 to ₹1,800 | The product uses a 2-dose or 3-dose course |
| Seasonal flu vaccine | ₹900 to ₹3,000 | Confirm that it is made for the current flu season |
| Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine | ₹400 to ₹1,200 | Confirm whether it is dose 1, 2 or 3 |
| Typhoid conjugate vaccine | ₹1,500 to ₹2,700 | The current schedule uses 1 dose |
| Hepatitis A vaccine | ₹1,400 to ₹2,600 | The product may require 1 or 2 doses |
| Chickenpox vaccine | ₹1,700 to ₹2,600 | The private schedule uses 2 doses |
| Child booster combination | ₹800 to ₹4,500 | Check every vaccine included in the combination |
| Cervavac human papillomavirus vaccine | About ₹2,300 | Covers 4 virus types; confirm the dose count and injection fee |
| Gardasil 9 human papillomavirus vaccine | ₹9,000 to ₹10,850 | Covers 9 virus types; confirm the complete course cost |
| Boostrix teenage booster | About ₹2,100 | It includes whooping cough protection |
| Tetanus and diphtheria booster | ₹50 to ₹250 | It does not include whooping cough protection |
Check the maximum retail price, product name and expiry date before payment. Ask for the doctor fee, injection fee and complete payable amount.
Vaccines need controlled storage and trained staff. Buy or carry a vaccine only when the clinic gives storage instructions. Never inject a vaccine at home.
Estimated private vaccination cost from birth to age 2
Government facilities charge ₹0 for vaccines in the national schedule. Private totals change with the infant combination, pneumococcal brand and clinic charges.
| Vaccination option | Estimated vaccine-only total | Vaccines and ages covered |
|---|---|---|
| Free government schedule | ₹0 | Vaccines due under the government schedule |
| Private first year with lower-cost 5-in-1 products | ₹13,000 to ₹36,000 | Birth through 12 months, including 3 infant visits and added vaccines |
| Private first year with higher-cost 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 products | ₹19,000 to ₹44,000 | Birth through 12 months using higher-priced combinations and pneumococcal products |
| Private schedule through age 2 | ₹19,000 to ₹62,000 | First-year products plus vaccines due from 15 to 19 months |
These estimates do not include consultation or injection fees. Ask the clinic for the complete amount before the visit.
How vaccines protect your child
A vaccine shows the immune system a safe form or part of a germ. The body learns to fight that germ before a real infection. The World Health Organization explains how vaccines build immune protection.
First doses start protection. Booster doses can strengthen or extend it. Each vaccine has its own dose count and timing. Count vaccine doses, not needles, because one injection can contain several vaccines.
Vaccination lowers the risk of serious disease and complications. Some vaccines also reduce infection spread. Hepatitis B and human papillomavirus vaccines prevent infections linked with cancer. No vaccine prevents every infection.
How to avoid repeated doses when using 2 clinics
Keep 1 complete record when using government and private clinics. A dose still counts after changing clinics when the vaccine and date are recorded.
A combination product can reduce injections, but it may not contain every due vaccine. Ask the clinic to record each vaccine inside the combination.
Do not repeat a dose only because the brand changes. A 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 product contains several vaccines. The next health worker must count every included vaccine.
Do not change brands without a record check. Rotavirus, pneumococcal, hepatitis A and human papillomavirus products follow different rules. A doctor should check the earlier product before any change.
Is the painless vaccine really painless?
No, the needle can still hurt. Some clinics call an acellular whooping cough combination a painless vaccine. The acellular type uses selected parts of the germ. The whole-cell type uses the full killed germ.
The acellular type can cause less fever, swelling and fussiness. It also costs more. Both types protect against whooping cough when each dose is given on time.
The free government 5-in-1 vaccine uses whole-cell whooping cough protection. Private clinics may offer the acellular type inside 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 products.
The current child vaccination schedule allows both types. Both choices need first doses and later boosters.
Tell the doctor about any serious earlier reaction. Also share any brain or nerve condition before choosing a product. Ask why the doctor recommends that product before paying.
A missed dose needs a catch-up plan
Most vaccine courses continue from the last recorded dose. Never restart at dose 1 without medical advice.
The next date depends on age, earlier doses and the minimum time between doses. Illness, immune problems and earlier reactions can change the plan. Never repeat a dose or change a date yourself.
Rotavirus needs prompt review because each product has age limits. Catch-up rules for tuberculosis, Hib, pneumococcal and human papillomavirus vaccines also change with age. Earlier doses given at the right age and interval still count in most World Health Organization catch-up schedules.
For example, a 10-month-old who missed infant visits needs a dated catch-up plan. The vaccine course should not restart automatically.
Mild illness does not always delay vaccination
World Health Organization safety guidance confirms that a mild cold, low fever or mild diarrhoea does not automatically delay vaccination. A health worker should still check your child before the dose.
A doctor may postpone a dose during moderate or severe illness. High fever or a very unwell child also needs review. A severe earlier allergic reaction needs medical assessment before the same vaccine.
Some vaccines need extra care when the immune system is weak. Tell the doctor about cancer treatment, transplant care, high-dose steroids and blood disorders. Also share allergies, seizures and every earlier reaction.
Antibiotics alone do not require a delay. The illness being treated matters more. A doctor should check your child before deciding.
Several vaccines can be given at one visit
Several recommended vaccines can be given during one visit. Separate injections use different body sites. An approved combination can also contain several vaccines.
World Health Organization guidance supports giving several vaccines in one visit. This does not overload the immune system. It protects your child sooner and reduces missed visits.
A combination vaccine may not include every due vaccine. Pneumococcal, rotavirus, flu or measles vaccines may remain separate. Ask the health worker to name every vaccine before the dose.
What to take to the vaccination visit
Prepare records, health details and payment questions before leaving home. U-WIN is the government digital vaccine record. Keep it with the paper card because either record can miss an entry.
- •Carry the paper vaccination card and U-WIN record.
- •Bring hospital discharge papers and private clinic records.
- •Note any fever, medicines, allergies and earlier reactions.
- •Feed the baby normally unless the clinic advises otherwise.
- •Dress your child in loose clothes exposing the thigh or upper arm.
- •Ask for the vaccine, brand, dose number, total price and next date.
- •Ask whether doctor and injection fees are included.
Breastfeeding or holding your baby can offer comfort during an injection. Let the health worker position your child safely.
Care after vaccination
Common reactions include pain, redness, small swelling, sleepiness, fussiness or low fever. They often settle within a few days. Ask the clinic what to expect from each vaccine given.
Offer breastfeeds, fluids and food as your child accepts them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention care advice recommends a cool, clean, damp cloth for a sore injection site.
Avoid rubbing or massaging the injection site. Avoid oil, paste or other home products. A lukewarm bath is fine when your child feels comfortable.
Give paracetamol only after a doctor confirms the dose. The correct amount depends on the weight of your child. Do not give medicine before the vaccine only to prevent fever.
The tuberculosis vaccine site may form a small lump or sore. World Health Organization advice for the vaccine site explains that it often heals without treatment. Keep the site clean and do not squeeze it.
Ask the clinic to check spreading redness, large swelling or pus. Get medical help sooner if your child is unwell.
Serious symptoms need urgent medical care
Get emergency care for breathing trouble or swelling of the face. Collapse, repeated seizures or failure to wake or respond also need emergency care. Seek help when your child becomes worse quickly.
After rotavirus vaccine, severe crying with stomach pain needs urgent care. Pulling the knees to the chest or repeated vomiting are warning signs. Weakness or blood in stool may signal a rare bowel blockage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention safety page lists these warning signs.
Call the clinic for fever that worries you or poor feeding. Repeated vomiting or a worsening reaction also needs medical advice. Call when symptoms last longer than the clinic advised.
A baby younger than 2 months with fever needs prompt medical advice. World Health Organization guidance for young babies notes that fever may be the only sign of serious infection. Tell the doctor when the vaccine was given.
A health problem can happen after a vaccine without being caused by it. Report unexpected or serious problems so the medical team can assess them. Keep the vaccine name, batch number and timing ready.
How to keep vaccination records
Keep one main record even when your child visits several providers. The U-WIN digital record helps, but keep the paper card and clear photos. Check each entry before leaving the clinic.
Your record should include:
- •vaccine and brand
- •dose number
- •batch number and expiry date
- •vaccination date and injection site
- •clinic or health worker details
- •next vaccine and due date
If the card is lost, check the U-WIN digital record and contact the earlier centre. Collect discharge papers, clinic bills, messages and clear card photos. Ask a doctor to rebuild the record from these details.
If proof is missing, check the earlier clinic and digital record. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics record guidance explains how providers check earlier doses. Never invent or backdate a dose. A doctor should decide how to handle any dose without proof.
If paper and digital records disagree, never choose from memory. Ask the vaccination centre to correct both records before the next dose.
Extra protection for travel, animal bites or health risks
Your child may need an extra vaccine or antibody medicine in special situations. These include animal bites, overseas travel, outbreaks and certain health problems.
- •An animal bite or scratch needs urgent rabies care. Wash the wound with soap and running water for 15 minutes. Follow the World Health Organization rabies advice for India without waiting for symptoms.
- •A vaccine against meningococcal infection may be advised for certain health conditions, outbreaks or travel. This infection can cause meningitis and serious blood infection.
- •Some countries require yellow fever vaccination for entry. Use an authorised Indian centre listed by the Government yellow fever service.
- •Japanese encephalitis vaccination outside the free district schedule depends on where your child lives or travels.
- •Nirsevimab is an antibody medicine, not a vaccine. A doctor may offer it to some high-risk babies. It helps prevent severe breathing illness from a common virus.
Travel rules can change, and some certificates have waiting periods. Arrange a travel health review several weeks before departure. Carry the full vaccine record.
Common baby vaccination questions
Why is the 6-week visit called the 45-day vaccination visit?
Six weeks is 42 days. Some clinics book the visit near day 45. That is why many parents call it the 45-day vaccination visit. Follow the date written in your vaccine record.
Can a premature or low-birth-weight baby follow the regular schedule?
Most premature or low-birth-weight babies receive vaccines by age from birth. Doctors may adjust age for growth checks after an early birth. That adjustment does not normally change vaccine dates. Serious illness or hospital treatment can still change the timing.
Follow the newborn care discharge plan. Premature and low-birth-weight babies may need added medical checks.
What happens when a baby spits out rotavirus vaccine?
Tell the health worker before leaving. The official Rotarix instructions allow 1 replacement when a baby spits out most of the dose. It must be given during the same visit. Other products may have different rules. Never give an extra dose at home.
Did the vaccine fail if your child has no fever?
No. Fever is a possible side effect, not a test of whether the vaccine worked. Your child can build protection without fever, swelling or fussiness.
What if no scar appears after the tuberculosis vaccine?
A missing tuberculosis vaccine scar does not prove that the vaccine failed. The World Health Organization evidence review on vaccine scars does not support another dose based on the scar alone. Show the record and site to a doctor if you are concerned.
Should your child receive Pulse Polio drops after routine doses?
Yes, when a local Pulse Polio round includes your child. Campaign drops give added community protection. They do not replace routine oral or injected polio doses. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative guidance supports giving routine and campaign doses.
Can vaccination be given before the due date?
Medical advice is needed before giving a dose early. A dose before the minimum age or gap may not count. It may need to be repeated.
Travel or outbreak risk needs a written plan from a doctor. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics guidance on early doses explains when a dose may not count.
A lower-cost vaccination plan for your child
Ask for a written clinic quote before buying an added vaccine. A doctor should count all earlier doses first. Then compare product prices and full clinic charges.
Ask these questions before paying:
- •What disease does this vaccine prevent?
- •Is a free government dose due now?
- •Is this vaccine recommended for every child or only for a health risk?
- •How many doses does the complete course need?
- •Does the quote include the vaccine, doctor fee and injection fee?
- •Can my child receive a lower-cost approved product?
Before each paid dose, confirm the vaccine, brand and included parts. Check the product price, clinic fee, batch number and next date.
