Puppy Vaccination Schedule: Core & Optional Vaccines by Age

Puppies are born with some immunity passed from their mother through colostrum, but this maternal protection fades between 6 and 16 weeks of age. During this vulnerable window, vaccines step in to train your puppy's immune system to recognise and fight deadly diseases.

Without vaccination, puppies are at serious risk from parvovirus (up to 91% fatality rate in untreated cases), distemper (50% fatality), and other highly contagious diseases. These aren't rare — parvovirus outbreaks still occur regularly in the UK and US, particularly in areas with low vaccination rates.

"I see parvovirus cases every month. It's heartbreaking because it's entirely preventable. A £50 vaccination course prevents a £3,000 emergency hospitalisation — and saves lives." — Dr. Sarah Chen, DVM

If you're preparing for a new puppy, start with our complete puppy checklist to ensure you have everything ready.

Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs regardless of lifestyle, location, or breed:

Distemper (CDV)

A highly contagious virus attacking the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Often fatal in puppies, and survivors frequently suffer permanent neurological damage.

Parvovirus (CPV)

Causes severe bloody diarrhoea and vomiting, leading to rapid dehydration. The virus is incredibly resilient — it survives in soil for up to a year and resists most household disinfectants.

Adenovirus (CAV-2)

Protects against infectious canine hepatitis (liver inflammation). The CAV-2 vaccine also provides cross-protection against respiratory adenovirus.

Parainfluenza

A respiratory virus contributing to kennel cough. Usually included in the combination DHPP injection.

Rabies

Required by law in most US states. Not routinely given in the UK (rabies-free country) unless travelling abroad. 100% fatal once clinical signs appear.

These are typically given as a combination vaccine called DHPP (or DHPPi) — one injection covers distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza.

Vaccines are given in a series because maternal antibodies can interfere with the vaccine's effectiveness. Multiple doses ensure protection kicks in as maternal immunity wanes.

6–8 Weeks

• First DHPP combination vaccine
• Your vet may start deworming at this visit too

10–12 Weeks

• Second DHPP booster
• Leptospirosis (first dose, if recommended for your area)
• Bordetella (kennel cough) if your puppy will attend daycare, classes, or boarding

14–16 Weeks

• Third and final DHPP booster
• Leptospirosis second dose
• Rabies (first dose — US; or before travel — UK)

12 Months

• DHPP annual booster (then every 3 years for most vaccines)
• Leptospirosis annual booster (always annual — immunity wanes faster)
• Rabies booster (check local laws for 1-year vs 3-year schedule)

Important: Do not take your puppy to public parks, pavements, or areas with unknown dogs until 2 weeks after their final DHPP booster. See our first year guide for socialisation tips during the waiting period.

Your vet will recommend these based on your puppy's lifestyle and geographic risk:

• Leptospirosis — transmitted via rat urine in standing water. Common in rural and urban areas alike. Increasingly considered "core" by many vets in the UK due to rising cases
• Bordetella bronchiseptica — kennel cough. Essential if your dog will be boarded, attend daycare, or visit dog parks. Given as an intranasal spray or injection
• Lyme disease — tick-borne. Recommended in high-risk areas (north-eastern US, parts of Scotland). Combine with good tick prevention
• Canine influenza (H3N2/H3N8) — primarily a US concern. Recommended for dogs in high-density environments

Discuss your specific risk factors with your vet. A dog living in central London has different needs than one on a farm in Devon.

Most puppies bounce back within hours, but mild side effects are normal for 24–48 hours:

Normal Reactions

• Slight lethargy or drowsiness
• Mild tenderness at the injection site
• Slightly reduced appetite
• Low-grade fever

Call Your Vet If You See

• Facial swelling, hives, or difficulty breathing (allergic reaction — seek emergency care immediately)
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea
• Severe lethargy lasting more than 48 hours
• A growing lump at the injection site after 2 weeks
• Collapse or seizures (very rare but requires emergency attention)

Serious vaccine reactions are extremely rare — affecting fewer than 1 in 10,000 dogs. The risk of the diseases these vaccines prevent is far greater than the risk of vaccination itself.

For a complete preventive care timeline beyond vaccines, see our full preventive care schedule.