National Immunisation Programme in India: Schedules, Vaccines and Priorities
India’s national immunisation framework stands as one of the largest public health interventions in the world, targeting millions of newborns and pregnant women annually. The initiative provides free protection against twelve life-threatening vaccine-preventable diseases nationally and regionally. Administered under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the programme targets complete immunization coverage across every district through structured supply chains, digital tracking, and community outreach.
Historical Evolution and Operational Framework
The structured immunisation drive in India began as the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 1978. The government renamed and expanded the drive into the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) in 1985. The programme became a major component of the Child Survival and Safe Motherhood Programme in 1992 and integrated into the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in 2005.
Key Milestones in Evolution
- The Expanded Programme on Immunisation launched in 1978 with a focus on basic childhood vaccines.
- The Universal Immunisation Programme replaced EPI in 1985, extending coverage beyond urban centers to all districts by 1990.
- Indigenous vaccine production received policy backing to reduce reliance on international supply chains.
- Polio eradication achieved a historic outcome when the World Health Organization certified India polio-free in March 2014.
- Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus elimination was officially validated across India in August 2015.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Covered
The Universal Immunisation Programme provides protection against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases. Nine of these vaccines are administered nationally to all eligible beneficiaries, while three are deployed regionally in specific high-risk or endemic districts.
Nationally Administered Vaccines
- Tuberculosis: Prevented through the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine at birth.
- Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus: Prevented through the combination Pentavalent vaccine, DPT boosters, and Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) shots.
- Hepatitis B: Prevented through a birth dose within 24 hours, followed by Pentavalent primary doses.
- Poliomyelitis: Prevented through Bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine (bOPV) and Fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (fIPV).
- Measles and Rubella: Prevented through two doses of the combination MR vaccine.
- Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib): Prevented through the five-in-one Pentavalent vaccine.
- Rotavirus Diarrhea: Prevented through oral Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV) drops.
- Pneumococcal Diseases: Prevented through the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) against bacterial pneumonia and meningitis.
Regionally Administered Vaccines
- Japanese Encephalitis (JE): Administered in 216 endemic districts across affected states.
- Meningococcal Meningitis and Cholera: Deployed during localized outbreaks or specific epidemiological emergencies.
National Immunisation Schedule
The national schedule outlines precise timing, dosage, route, and administration site for pregnant women, infants, and young children.
| Target Group | Timing / Age | Vaccine Given | Dose and Route |
| Pregnant Women | Early in pregnancy | Td-1 | 0.5 ml, Intramuscular |
| Pregnant Women | 4 weeks after Td-1 | Td-2 (or Td-Booster if vaccinated within 3 yrs) | 0.5 ml, Intramuscular |
| Infants | At Birth | BCG, Hepatitis B (Birth dose), bOPV-0 | 0.1 ml Intradermal, 0.5 ml IM, 2 drops Oral |
| Infants | 6 Weeks | Pentavalent-1, bOPV-1, fIPV-1, RVV-1, PCV-1 | Primary doses across intramuscular, oral, intradermal |
| Infants | 10 Weeks | Pentavalent-2, bOPV-2, RVV-2 | Primary second doses |
| Infants | 14 Weeks | Pentavalent-3, bOPV-3, fIPV-2, RVV-3, PCV-2 | Primary third doses |
| Infants | 9–12 Months | MR-1, JE-1 (endemic areas), PCV-Booster, Vitamin A (1st) | Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Oral |
| Children | 16–24 Months | MR-2, JE-2, DPT Booster-1, bOPV Booster, Vitamin A | Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Oral |
| Children | 5–6 Years | DPT Booster-2 | 0.5 ml, Intramuscular |
| Adolescents | 10 & 16 Years | Td | 0.5 ml, Intramuscular |
Special Catch-Up Campaigns and Technological Initiatives
Gaps in routine immunisation prompted the government to launch targeted catch-up drives and digital monitoring tools to maintain high coverage rates.
Mission Indradhanush
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched Mission Indradhanush on December 25, 2014, to reach unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children and pregnant women. The drive targets pockets with low immunisation rates, including urban slums, migratory settlements, and remote tribal areas. Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) iterations have systematically expanded coverage across identified high-priority districts.
U-WIN Digital Platform
Modeled after the Co-WIN portal, U-WIN digitizes the entire Universal Immunisation Programme. The system registers pregnant women and children, creates an individual digital health tracking record, generates automated SMS alerts for due doses, and issues digital vaccination certificates. It connects directly with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ecosystem.
Cold Chain and Logistics Management
The Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) provides real-time visibility into vaccine stock levels and storage temperatures across all cold chain points in the country. This technology prevents vaccine spoilage and prevents stock-outs at remote primary health centers.
Core Facts on National Immunisation Programme
- The Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) was launched in India in 1978 and renamed Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) in 1985.
- The Universal Immunisation Programme covers 12 vaccine-preventable diseases nationally and regionally.
- The Pentavalent vaccine combines protection against five diseases: Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B.
- Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) vaccine replaced Tetanus Toxoid (TT) in the national schedule to provide dual protection.
- The Hepatitis B birth dose must be administered within 24 hours of birth to prevent perinatal transmission.
- Fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (fIPV) is administered intradermally at 0.1 ml dose.
- India received official WHO certification as a Polio-free nation on March 27, 2014.
- Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT) elimination was validated in India in August 2015.
- Mission Indradhanush was launched on December 25, 2014, coinciding with Good Governance Day.
- U-WIN serves as the dedicated digital registry for tracking individual immunisation records across India.
