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Why Vaccines Should Start Right After Birth

Dr. Satyapriya Sahoo, Consultant Neonatologist and Pediatrician, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad

A baby’s first few weeks of life are filled with wonder and vulnerability. Newborns are born with immature immune systems that cannot fully fight infections on their own. While mothers pass on some protective antibodies during pregnancy, these begin to fade within weeks after birth. That’s why vaccines should start immediately after delivery to protect babies when they are most defenseless.

Under India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), every child is recommended to receive three important vaccines at birth: BCG, Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV-0), and Hepatitis B. Each of these plays a vital role in safeguarding a newborn’s health.

The BCG vaccine, given against tuberculosis, helps prevent severe forms of TB such as meningitis and miliary TB. Studies have shown that BCG given soon after birth can prevent up to 80% of severe childhood tuberculosis cases. Similarly, the Hepatitis B vaccine prevents one of the most dangerous infections transmitted from mother to child. If a baby gets infected at birth, there is a 90% chance of developing chronic Hepatitis B, which may lead to liver failure or cancer later in life.

The Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) offers early protection against the poliovirus — a disease that can cause permanent paralysis. Although India has been declared polio-free, this birth dose remains essential to maintain immunity and prevent re-emergence.

According to UNICEF, India vaccinates over 26 million newborns each year as part of its immunisation drive. Early vaccination has proven lifesaving — one study found that giving BCG and OPV within 48 hours of birth reduced infection-related deaths among low-birth-weight infants by 47%.

Starting vaccines right after the birth also ensures better coverage. Many babies visit healthcare centers within the first few days of life, making it easier to administer vaccines before any exposure to infections. The vaccines used in newborns are tested for safety and effectiveness, with only mild and temporary side effects, such as low-grade fever or soreness.

Delaying vaccines “until the baby grows stronger” is a common myth. Postponing vaccination leaves infants unprotected at their most critical age.

Vaccines given at birth are the first step in building a lifetime of immunity. They not only protect individual children but also contribute to community-level disease control.

Birth-dose vaccines are a baby’s first shield of protection — simple, safe, and essential. By ensuring timely vaccination right after delivery, parents take the first and most powerful step toward securing their child’s healthy future.