First Year Baby Vaccination Chart – A Parent’s Guide to Keep Babies Safe (From Birth to 12 Months)
- EMC Cradle Hospital
- July 5, 2025
Baby Vaccinations are a critical part of your baby’s health journey during the first year. These tiny shots offer powerful protection against any critical diseases that can be harmful or even fatal to infants. We will breaks down everything you need to know about your first year baby vaccination chart, helping you navigate each milestone with confidence.
Understanding the Basics of Baby Vaccinations
A baby vaccination chart is a medical timeline or schedule that outlines when each vaccine should be given to your child during their infancy and early childhood. This chart acts as a roadmap for pediatricians and parents alike to ensure that no essential dose is missed. It includes all necessary vaccines recommended by medical authorities like the WHO, CDC, or India’s Universal Immunization Programme. Baby vaccination play a crucial role in your baby’s growth & development care.
🚼 Why Vaccines Are Crucial for Infants
Vaccines play a life-saving role by protecting babies against diseases that their underdeveloped immune systems aren’t equipped to fight yet. Diseases like measles, polio, and diphtheria used to cause widespread illness and death. Now, thanks to timely vaccinations, they’ve been reduced drastically or even eliminated in many parts of the world. By vaccinating your baby, you not only protect them but also help build herd immunity that shields other vulnerable members of the community.
Let’s know How Vaccinations Strengthen Immunity? Vaccines simulate a “practice run” for your baby’s immune system. They contain weakened or inactive parts of a virus or bacteria which are enough to prompt the body to produce antibodies without causing illness. This way, when the real disease shows up, the immune system can quickly recognize and fight it off, often before any symptoms even appear.
Why Early Vaccination Is Recommended?
The early months are the most vulnerable time in a baby’s life. Since babies start losing the natural antibodies passed from the mother around 2–3 months of age, they need vaccine-based protection. That’s why most immunizations start right after birth and continue with multiple boosters in the first year.
Having a structured vaccination chart allows parents to stay organized and proactive. It ensures that vaccines are administered at the most effective times. Plus, it keeps track of doses, especially when multiple shots are spaced weeks apart or given in combination. An updated record also comes in handy during school admissions, travel, or medical emergencies.
Standard First Year Baby Vaccination Chart (India & Global Reference)
Below is a comprehensive detail, listing vaccines typically given during the first year of a baby’s life. This chart is based on standard schedules in India (Universal Immunization Programme), which closely aligns with WHO guidelines.
Note: Always consult with a certified pediatrician before each vaccination.
At Birth Vaccines
1. BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin)
Role: BCG vaccine protects against tuberculosis (TB), especially severe forms like TB meningitis and miliary TB in children.
Benefits: Reduces chances of contracting life-threatening TB. Boosts immunity against infections in the lungs and brain. Particularly important in countries where TB is prevalent (like India).
Precautions: The injection site may develop a small sore that heals slowly and leaves a scar—this is normal. Ensure the baby doesn’t have an immune deficiency (in rare conditions). Avoid covering or applying ointments on the vaccine sore.
2. OPV-0 (Oral Polio Vaccine – 0 Dose)
Role: Offers early protection against poliovirus, which can cause paralysis.
Benefits: Helps build immunity from birth, before other polio vaccines are given. Reduces community transmission of polio.
Precautions: Given as oral drops; make sure baby doesn’t vomit immediately after. Maintain hygiene as live virus can be excreted in stool—caregivers should wash hands after diaper changes.
3. Hepatitis B – 1st Dose
Role: Prevents Hepatitis B, a serious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Benefits: Protects against chronic liver disease, liver failure, and cancer. When given within 24 hours of birth, it’s highly effective at preventing mother-to-child transmission.
Precautions: Ensure it’s administered intramuscularly, usually in the thigh. Babies with very low birth weight may need slightly adjusted scheduling—check with the pediatrician.
At 6 Weeks, 10 Weeks & 14 Weeks (Multiple Doses)
4. DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Doses
Role: Protects against three deadly bacterial infections: Diphtheria: causes throat infection and breathing difficulty. Tetanus: causes muscle stiffness and spasms (from wounds). Pertussis (Whooping Cough): causes severe coughing fits in infants.
Benefits: Prevents serious complications including brain damage and death. Reduces hospitalization for respiratory complications.
Precautions: May cause fever and mild swelling at the site. Give paracetamol if prescribed for fever. Crying for a few hours post-injection is normal.
5. IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine) – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Doses
Role: Offers injected protection against polio, unlike OPV which is oral.
Benefits:
Precautions: Make sure all three doses are given for full protection. Injection-site soreness may occur.
6. Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Doses
Role: Prevents infections like meningitis, pneumonia, epiglottitis, and sepsis in infants.
Benefits: Drastically reduces the risk of brain and lung infections. Protects children from long-term complications like hearing loss.
Precautions: Administered in combination with DTP/IPV in many combo vaccines. Watch for mild fever, fatigue, or local redness.
7. PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine) – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Doses
Role: Protects against pneumococcal bacteria, which cause pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infections.
Benefits: Reduces risk of deadly bacterial diseases. Prevents complications like ear infections and sinusitis.
Precautions: Mild side effects like soreness, fever, and fussiness. Ensure all three doses are completed for full protection.
At 6 Months
8. Hepatitis B – 3rd Dose
Role: Final dose to complete Hepatitis B vaccine series.
Benefits: Provides long-term protection against liver infections and complications. Boosts earlier immunity built from birth and 6-week doses.
Precautions: Should be spaced properly—check previous dose intervals. Fever or soreness is rare but possible.
At 9 Months
9. MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) – 1st Dose
Role: Protects against three viral diseases: Measles: causes high fever, rashes, pneumonia. Mumps: causes swelling of salivary glands, fever, and fatigue. Rubella: mild illness in children but dangerous for pregnant women.
Benefits: Essential for community protection (herd immunity). Helps eliminate these diseases over time.
Precautions: Some children may get mild fever or rash 5–10 days after the shot. Avoid contact with pregnant women if mild rash develops.
At 12 Months
10. Hepatitis A – 1st Dose (Optional)
Role: Protects against Hepatitis A, a liver infection spread via contaminated food and water.
Benefits: Reduces risk of liver damage and jaundice. Important in areas with poor sanitation or frequent travel.
Precautions: Mild side effects include swelling or fever. A second dose is needed 6–12 months later for full immunity.
11. Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) – Optional
Role: Shields against typhoid fever, a bacterial infection from unsafe food or water.
Benefits: Helps avoid serious complications like intestinal perforation. Can be given as early as 9 months.
Precautions: A booster may be needed at age 2. Watch for mild fever or fatigue.
12. Chickenpox (Varicella) – Optional
Role: Prevents chickenpox, which causes itchy blisters, fever, and fatigue.
Benefits: Reduces risk of severe complications like pneumonia, encephalitis. Prevents school absence and scarring.
Precautions: May cause mild rash 1–2 weeks after shot. Not given if child recently had chickenpox.
Ready to Meet a Pediatricians and Nutritionists Specialist?
Every vaccine is a step toward a safer, healthier future. Consult our pediatric expert today to create a personalized vaccination plan tailored to your child’s needs, health status, and local health guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The first year baby vaccination chart / schedule starts right at birth and includes vaccines like BCG, OPV, Hepatitis B, DTP, IPV, Hib, Rotavirus, PCV, and MMR. Vaccines are given at birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. Optional vaccines include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Chickenpox depending on your pediatrician’s advice.
If a baby misses a scheduled vaccine, don’t panic. Contact your pediatrician to plan a catch-up vaccination schedule. Most vaccines can still be given later without restarting the entire series. Timely vaccination is best, but late is better than never.
Yes, mild side effects are common and usually harmless. These include low-grade fever, redness or swelling at the injection site, sleepiness, or mild irritability. Serious reactions are extremely rare. Always monitor your baby after vaccination and contact your doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.
Yes, it is absolutely safe. Combination vaccines or multiple shots in one visit are clinically tested and recommended to reduce the number of visits and ensure timely protection. Your child’s immune system can handle many vaccines at once without any harm. But always consult with a certified doctor before that.