## UIP Core Vaccines in India **Key Point:** The Universal Immunisation Programme includes a defined set of core vaccines that are universally provided free of cost. Varicella vaccine is NOT part of the core UIP schedule in India. ### Current UIP Core Vaccines | Vaccine | Status in UIP | Age of Administration | | --- | --- | --- | | BCG | Core | At birth | | Hepatitis B | Core | Birth + 6, 10, 14 weeks | | DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus) | Core | 6, 10, 14 weeks + boosters | | Polio (IPV + OPV) | Core | 6, 10, 14 weeks + boosters | | Rotavirus | Core (since 2009) | 6, 10, 14 weeks | | PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate) | Core (since 2017) | 6, 10, 14 weeks + booster | | Hib (Haemophilus influenzae b) | Core (since 2011) | 6, 10, 14 weeks + booster | | Japanese Encephalitis (JE) | Core (endemic states) | As per state schedule | | Varicella | NOT Core | Private/optional | **High-Yield:** Varicella vaccine remains outside the core UIP schedule despite being available in the private sector. It is not universally provided by the government program. **Clinical Pearl:** While Hib, PCV, and Rotavirus have been progressively added to the UIP since 2009–2017, Varicella has not yet been incorporated due to epidemiological considerations and cost-benefit analysis in the Indian context. **Mnemonic:** **Core UIP = BCG-DPT-Polio-HBV-Rota-Hib-PCV** — Varicella is the notable absence.
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