Edited by: MomSaathi Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Based on pediatric immunization guidelines and IAP-recommended vaccination schedules
Hello, dear mother, it is very fun to take your baby for the first time. However, many questions arise as well. One of the questions that almost all new parents have is, “What vaccines does my baby need and when? ” This is particularly true since there have been recent changes in schedules in many countries.
This is the up-to-date baby vaccines schedule 2025-2026 guide that has been compiled by Momsaathi to give clear information on the first 12-24 months. This is because vaccines are a big part and protect your child from the deadly diseases that are avoidable, like whooping cough, measles, polio, and others. This article is dedicated to the core vaccines that are recommended worldwide, when and why they are important to child development, and some tips to help parents deal with the stress.
Every country has a different immunization protocol that is based on the disease risks and the country’s health. For this reason, you should take your child to a private doctor and obtain a health clearance to do this.
As a baby, a child has to develop some immunity to the child. This is done by the baby’s mother’s immune system. However, this immunity wanes quickly, and the child becomes susceptible to other infectious diseases. Vaccines are the help in this children. They teach children to react to and deal with problems that are harmful. This is done without exposing the children to sickness.
Leading health organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), have reiterated that in the first year of life, a child’s first-line defense against illness is timely vaccinations.
The core vaccines contain antigens designed to elicit an immune response and provide long-lasting defense against a number of childhood illnesses that can have devastating effects, leading to permanent disability, prolonged hospital stay, or even death. There is a worldwide agreement to include vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough), Hib, pneumococcal disease, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella.
For further information about your baby’s health and early development, you can refer to our guide: Baby Milestones by Month: What to Expect 0-12 Months (With Red Flags).
Standard Baby Vaccines Schedule 0–24 Months (Global Overview)
Vaccination schedules may differ by country (e.g., the US, the UK, India, Australia, EU countries). Below is a global framework that is widely accepted based on the WHO recommendations and national programs in place for 2025-2026. Most countries have a similar framework with slight changes to the timing of the vaccinations or the use of combination vaccines.
Birth: Hepatitis B (HepB) – First dose (often within 24 hours)
2 Months: DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) – 1st dose Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) – 1st dose Polio (IPV) – 1st dose Pneumococcal (PCV) – 1st dose Rotavirus – 1st dose (in many programs) Hepatitis B – 2nd dose (if not completed earlier)
4 Months: DTaP – 2nd dose Hib – 2nd dose Polio – 2nd dose Pneumococcal – 2nd dose Rotavirus – 2nd dose
6 Months: DTaP – 3rd dose, Hib – 3rd dose (depending on brand), Polio – 3rd dose (in some schedules), Pneumococcal – 3rd dose, Hepatitis B – 3rd dose (if needed), Rotavirus – 3rd dose (if using 3-dose vaccine), Influenza – Annual starts from 6 months in many countries
9–12 Months: Measles-containing vaccine (often MMR or MR) – First dose (usually at 9 or 12 months, depending on country), Yellow fever or other region-specific vaccines in endemic areas
12–18 Months: DTaP – 4th dose (booster) Hib – Final dose (if needed) Pneumococcal – Booster MMR – Second dose (in some schedules) Varicella (Chickenpox) – In countries that include it Hepatitis A – In many programs
18–24 Months: Boosters as needed (DTaP, polio, etc.) Annual influenza vaccine
Notes for 2025-2026: *Protection against RSV: Some countries recommend maternal RSV vaccination during pregnancy or use the monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab) for infants (particularly during the RSV season) *Combination vaccines: These are frequently used to minimize the number of vaccinations (for example, DTaP-Hib-IPV-HepB). *Catch-up: There are catch-up schedules for missed doses; ask your physician. *Schedules differ: Some countries administer BCG at birth (for TB) and perform oral polio vaccination in certain countries, as well as Japanese encephalitis in endemic regions. Recent 2026 updates for the US have shifted some routine recommendations (i.e. certain vaccines are now deemed risk-based or subject to shared decision-making), and the AAP advocates for broader protective schedules.
For information specific to your country, contact your health ministry, pediatrician, or the World Health Organization.
Vaccine Visit Tips and FAQs
Do vaccines overwhelm my baby’s immune system? No. Vaccines use small, safe parts of germs to build protection and target specific germs as babies encounter thousands of germs. What about side effects? These are common and usually resolve quickly. They include fussiness, a mild fever, or redness where the vaccine was received, and serious reactions are extremely rare. I heard the shots hurt! Your doctor may recommend an acetaminophen dose for pain relief. Your baby may be more comfortable with breastfeeding or skin-to-skin contact during the vaccine and afterward. Spacing or delaying? Following the recommended schedule provides the most protection for the most at-risk age groups.
These appointments are also excellent times to ask about growth assessments or parenting concerns. Combine them with the responsive caregiving from Gentle Parenting Techniques for Newborns and Toddlers (No Cry Methods).
For the most up-to-date worldwide recommendations, consult the World Health Organization’s immunization website or your country’s health department. For the most right-up-to-date recommendations in the US, consult the official CDC or AAP sites here: CDC Immunization Schedules.
Talking to the Pediatrician
Before each appointment, please discuss your baby’s specific health history and any concerns regarding travel and vaccinations. This is particularly important for babies who are premature, have a history of certain illnesses, or are allergic to certain things.
To stay on track, your baby’s vaccinations schedule 2025-2026 is also a valuable tool to keep the at-risk babies in your community safe.
We’re proud of you, Mama. This is important work. We trust the science, and we hope you will, too, along with your health professional. An enormous weight is off your shoulders with each milestone protected.
You can refer to this guide. You can do this! One well baby appointment at a time.
Feel free to share with us which vaccine visit was the easiest or the hardest for you by commenting below. Also, you can share a helpful strategy you used to keep your baby calm during the shots. Let’s support one another in the Momsaathi community!
Encourage new parents with concerns regarding vaccinations to read this article and aid us in providing useful information to new parents.
This article was reviewed by our in-house pediatric consultant. Last updated March 2026. Vaccine recommendations vary, consult your pediatrician or health authorities for advice specific to your location.
As an Indian mom raising a little one in the USA, those 3 a.m. moments hit differently. You hear your baby let out a sudden cry, whimper, or even a sharp gasp—your heart races, but when you peek into the crib, they’re still fast asleep, eyes closed, breathing steady. No full wake-up, no need for feeding or rocking… yet the sound keeps you wide awake wondering:
