Nepal Vaccination Schedule 2026: Complete Immunization Guide for Parents

Updated: May 2026

If you are a parent in Nepal, one of the most useful things you can keep safely is your child’s vaccination card.

Nepal’s national immunization program provides routine vaccines through government health posts, primary health care centers, outreach clinics, and immunization sessions. These vaccines protect children from diseases like tuberculosis, polio, measles, rubella, pneumonia, rotavirus diarrhea, Japanese encephalitis, typhoid fever, tetanus, diphtheria, and more.

This post is a simple, updated guide to the Nepal vaccination schedule 2026 for parents. It explains which vaccines are given at which age, what to do if a dose is missed, how HPV vaccination now fits into Nepal’s routine program, and when parents should ask a health worker for help.

Important: This article is for general awareness. Vaccine schedules and catch-up decisions can change depending on government updates, vaccine availability, age, previous doses, and local health facility guidance. Always confirm with your nearest health post, immunization clinic, or doctor.

Nepal vaccination schedule 2026 at a glance

Here is a parent-friendly version of Nepal’s routine child immunization schedule.

Age / group	Vaccine	Protects against
At birth	BCG	Severe forms of tuberculosis
6 weeks	Pentavalent, OPV, PCV, Rotavirus	Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, Hib disease, polio, pneumonia, rotavirus diarrhea
10 weeks	Pentavalent, OPV, PCV, Rotavirus	Same as above
14 weeks	Pentavalent, OPV, fIPV	Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, Hib disease, polio
9 months	MR, PCV, fIPV	Measles, rubella, pneumococcal disease, polio
12 months	JE	Japanese encephalitis
15 months	MR, Typhoid conjugate vaccine	Measles, rubella, typhoid fever
Pregnant mothers	Td	Maternal and neonatal tetanus, diphtheria
Grade 6 girls / out-of-school girls around 10 years	HPV	Cervical cancer caused by HPV infection

This table is meant to make the schedule easier to understand. For a missed dose, delayed vaccine, or child with a medical condition, do not guess from the table alone. Visit your health facility with the vaccination card.

Why vaccination matters

Vaccines protect children before they meet dangerous infections.

Routine immunization helps prevent:

Tuberculosis complications
Polio
Diphtheria
Pertussis, also called whooping cough
Tetanus
Hepatitis B
Hib disease
Pneumonia
Rotavirus diarrhea
Measles
Rubella
Japanese encephalitis
Typhoid fever
Cervical cancer caused by HPV infection

Vaccination also protects the community. When more children are vaccinated, outbreaks become less likely. This indirectly protects newborns, children who are too young for some vaccines, and people with weak immunity.

In simple words: vaccination protects your child and also protects the people around your child.

HPV vaccine in Nepal: 2026 update

The biggest recent update in Nepal’s immunization program is the national introduction of the HPV vaccine.

Nepal launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign on 4 February 2025. According to WHO Nepal, the campaign targeted:

School girls from grades 6 to 10
Out-of-school girls aged 10 to 14 years

After the campaign, HPV vaccine was integrated into Nepal’s routine immunization program. It is expected to be provided each year to:

Grade 6 girls
Out-of-school girls around 10 years of age

This matters because HPV infection is a major cause of cervical cancer. Giving the vaccine before exposure to HPV provides better protection later in life.

Parent note: If your daughter is in the target group and missed the campaign, ask the school health program, local health post, or municipality health section about catch-up availability.

What if my child missed a vaccine dose?

Do not panic, and do not restart the schedule by yourself.

If your child missed a vaccine:

Take the vaccination card to the nearest health post or immunization clinic
Tell the health worker which vaccine visit was missed
Let them check the child’s age and previous doses
Follow the catch-up plan they recommend

In many cases, vaccination can continue without restarting everything from the beginning. The most important step is to go as soon as you realize a dose has been missed.

Are vaccines free in Nepal?

Routine vaccines under Nepal’s National Immunization Program are provided free of cost for eligible children, pregnant mothers, and target groups through the government system.

Common places where parents can access routine vaccination include:

Government health posts
Primary health care centers
Basic health service centers
Outreach immunization clinics
School-based campaigns for selected vaccines such as HPV

Some additional vaccines may be available through private hospitals or clinics, but the routine national vaccines should be available through government immunization services.

Can a child receive multiple vaccines on the same day?

Yes. It is normal for a child to receive more than one vaccine during the same visit.

This is done because:

It protects the child earlier
It reduces the number of clinic visits
It lowers the chance of missed vaccines
The immune system can respond to multiple vaccines safely

Multiple vaccines given on schedule do not overload the child’s immune system.

Can a child be vaccinated during cough, cold, or mild fever?

Usually, yes. Mild illness is not always a reason to delay vaccination.

Vaccination can usually continue if the child has:

Mild cough
Runny nose
Mild cold symptoms
Low-grade fever
Mild loose stool but otherwise looks well

Talk to a doctor or health worker first if the child:

Has high fever
Looks very sick
Is admitted to hospital
Had a serious reaction to a previous vaccine
Has a serious immune problem
Is taking medicines that suppress immunity

When in doubt, ask instead of silently skipping the vaccine.

Common side effects after vaccination

Most vaccine side effects are mild and temporary.

Common side effects include:

Mild fever
Pain at the injection site
Redness or swelling where the vaccine was given
Mild tiredness
Fussiness or crying in small children
Reduced appetite for a short time

These usually improve on their own.

When should parents seek medical help after vaccination?

Seek medical help immediately if your child develops:

Breathing difficulty
Swelling of lips, face, or eyes
Severe allergic symptoms
Persistent high fever
Seizures
Repeated vomiting
Extreme sleepiness or unconsciousness
Continuous crying that does not settle
Any symptom that feels seriously wrong

Serious reactions are rare, but parents should not ignore warning signs.

Keep the vaccination card safe

The vaccination card is one of the most important health records for a child.

It helps health workers know:

Which vaccines were already given
Which doses are still pending
Whether catch-up vaccination is needed
Whether the child is fully immunized

Practical tips:

Keep the original card safely
Bring it to every vaccination visit
Take a clear photo of the card on your phone
Do not throw it away after infancy
Carry it when changing health facilities

The card may also be useful later for school records, travel, medical care, or catch-up vaccination.

Quick checklist for parents

Before vaccination

Check the date and place of the immunization session
Carry the vaccination card
Feed the child normally
Tell the health worker if the child is seriously ill
Ask which vaccine is being given
Ask when the next vaccine is due

After vaccination

Wait at the clinic for a short time if advised
Expect mild fever or soreness
Give medicine only as advised by a health worker
Watch for unusual symptoms
Mark the next vaccine date on your calendar

Frequently asked questions about vaccination in Nepal

What is the vaccination schedule for babies in Nepal?

Babies in Nepal usually receive BCG at birth, then vaccines at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 9 months, 12 months, and 15 months. The exact vaccines are shown in the schedule table above.

What vaccine is given at 9 months in Nepal?

At around 9 months, children receive MR vaccine for measles and rubella, along with other scheduled vaccines such as PCV and fIPV according to the national schedule.

What vaccine is given at 15 months in Nepal?

At around 15 months, children receive the second dose of MR vaccine and typhoid conjugate vaccine according to Nepal’s routine immunization schedule.

Is HPV vaccine available in Nepal?

Yes. Nepal introduced HPV vaccine nationally in 2025 and integrated it into the routine immunization program for grade 6 girls or out-of-school girls around 10 years of age.

Do I need to pay for routine child vaccines in Nepal?

Routine vaccines included in Nepal’s National Immunization Program are provided free of cost through government immunization services for eligible groups.

What should I do if I lost my child’s vaccination card?

Visit the health facility where your child received vaccines, if possible. Health workers may help reconstruct the record from registers or guide catch-up vaccination based on age and available history.

Final message for parents

Vaccination is not just a formality. It is protection.

If your child’s vaccines are complete, keep the card safe and follow the next scheduled visit. If a dose is missed, do not feel guilty and do not restart by yourself. Visit the nearest health facility and continue according to the catch-up advice.

A small vaccine visit today can prevent a serious illness tomorrow.