The Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) under NIS added the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) to the schedule. PCV is currently given at:

• A 6, 10, 14 weeks with no booster
• B 6, 14 weeks and 9 months (2+1 schedule) ✓
• C 6, 10, 14 weeks and 9 months (3+1 schedule)
• D 9 months and 15 months (catch-up only)

Explanation

India adopted the 2+1 PCV schedule: primary doses at 6 weeks and 14 weeks, followed by a booster at 9 months, as recommended by WHO for national programmes in high-burden countries. This schedule was validated by the PNEUMO-BHARAT trial. The 3+1 schedule (6, 10, 14 weeks + booster) is the schedule used for some countries and older recommendations but is not India's current UIP schedule. This detail distinguishes the national programme from the IAP private schedule.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.