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New Born Vaccination

New Born Vaccination in India is an important part of protecting babies from serious vaccine-preventable diseases from the first days of life. Newborn immunization begins at birth and continues through infancy and childhood according to the National Immunization Schedule (NIS) of India. The Government of India schedule recommends BCG, Hepatitis B birth dose and OPV-0 at birth, followed by additional vaccines at 6, 10 and 14 weeks and subsequent doses during infancy and childhood.

Vaccinations Given at Birth in India

The key vaccines recommended at birth under India's National Immunization Schedule include:

  • BCG Vaccine – protects against severe forms of childhood tuberculosis.
  • Hepatitis B Birth Dose – helps protect newborns against Hepatitis B infection and should ideally be given within 24 hours of birth.
  • OPV-0 (Oral Polio Vaccine) – provides the birth dose of protection against poliomyelitis and is recommended within the first 15 days.

Vaccination Schedule After Birth

Newborn vaccination is followed by an age-based immunization schedule. Under the National Immunization Schedule, important infant vaccinations include:

At 6 Weeks

  • OPV-1
  • Pentavalent-1
  • Fractional IPV-1
  • Rotavirus Vaccine-1
  • Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)-1

At 10 Weeks

  • OPV-2
  • Pentavalent-2
  • Rotavirus Vaccine-2

At 14 Weeks

  • OPV-3
  • Pentavalent-3
  • Fractional IPV-2
  • Rotavirus Vaccine-3
  • PCV-2

At 9–12 Months

  • Measles-Rubella (MR)-1
  • PCV Booster
  • Japanese Encephalitis (JE)-1 in applicable areas.

The exact vaccination plan can vary based on the child's age, health status, previous vaccinations, geographic considerations and whether additional vaccines are recommended by the child's paediatrician. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics also maintains its own immunization guidance in addition to the Government's National Immunization Schedule.

Why Newborn Vaccination Is Important

Timely vaccination helps develop protection before babies are exposed to potentially serious infections. Parents should maintain the child's vaccination record and follow the recommended dates for each dose. If a vaccine has been missed or delayed, parents should consult a paediatrician rather than restarting the vaccination schedule on their own.

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