Why Child Vaccination Matters: A Parent's Guide to the IAP Schedule

Vaccines have saved more lives than almost any other medical intervention in history. Polio no longer paralyses Indian children. Smallpox has been eradicated. And yet, vaccine hesitancy is growing. Here is the complete picture — what vaccines do, why they matter, and how to follow the IAP schedule correctly.

How Vaccines Work

Vaccines train the immune system to recognise and fight specific infections — without causing the actual disease. After vaccination, if the person ever encounters the real pathogen, their immune system responds rapidly and prevents serious illness or death. This is true even if the vaccine does not prevent infection entirely — vaccinated people who get infected have vastly milder illness.

The IAP vs the Government (NIS) Schedule

India has two vaccine schedules:

• NIS (National Immunisation Schedule): The government-provided free schedule, focused on the most essential vaccines
• IAP (Indian Academy of Pediatrics) Schedule: A more comprehensive schedule that adds several vaccines not yet included in the government programme — chickenpox, typhoid, hepatitis A, HPV, meningococcal, and others

Parents who wish to give their children the fullest protection can follow the IAP schedule with their paediatrician.

Key Vaccines on the IAP Schedule

• Birth: BCG (TB), Hepatitis B, OPV
• 6, 10, 14 weeks: DTwP/DTaP, IPV, Hib, Hepatitis B, Rotavirus, PCV
• 9 months: Measles (or MMR), additional boosters
• 12–15 months: MMR, Chickenpox, Hepatitis A
• Annually: Influenza vaccine (especially for children with asthma, heart disease, or immune conditions)
• 10 years onwards: Tdap, HPV (for girls and boys)

Addressing Common Concerns

• "Do vaccines cause autism?" No. This claim originated from a fraudulent 1998 study that was retracted. Dozens of large, rigorous studies worldwide have confirmed no link between any vaccine and autism.
• "My child has a fever after vaccination — is this dangerous?" Mild fever after vaccination is a normal immune response, not a sign of illness. It resolves in 1–2 days. Paracetamol can be given for comfort.
• "Natural immunity is better than vaccine immunity." Getting the actual disease causes far more risk than the vaccine. Natural immunity to measles comes at the cost of serious illness, pneumonia, encephalitis, and death in some children.

"Every unvaccinated child is not just at personal risk — they reduce herd immunity for infants too young to be vaccinated, and for children with immune conditions who cannot receive vaccines. Vaccination is an act of community protection."

Dr. Sushma B provides complete vaccination services and counselling at Sri Anand Child and Neuro Center, Chanda Nagar. Call +91 90633 66983 for your child's vaccination schedule consultation.