Dogs Getting Started Puppies

Puppy Vaccine Schedule and Information

A Guide to Puppy Shots

Vaccination Timeline for Puppies

The Spruce / Hilary Allison

Puppy vaccinations are one of the best and most loving investments you can make for your puppy. Think of puppy shots as insurance against diseases—they prevent illness, save you money, and help you avoid potential heartbreak. Your veterinarian will create a puppy vaccine schedule based on your dog's individual needs. Here's why puppy vaccines are so important and what to expect from the process.

Why Do Puppies Need Vaccines?

Vaccinations help “program” the specialized cells of the puppy’s immune system to recognize, find, and destroy viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens both in the bloodstream or at the cellular level—in the nose or eyes—before they cause disease. Vaccines also help prevent the spread of certain contagious diseases to other dogs.

Puppies' immune systems are weak at birth, but nursing from the mother dog provides some protection as they develop. Colostrum, an antibody-rich “first milk” helps protect against viruses that might threaten the puppy’s health. When puppies are weaned around 6 to 8 weeks of age, the protection from maternal antibodies begins to fade as their immune systems mature. Maternal antibodies are typically gone by the age of 16 to 20 weeks, but there is no reliable way to test for their presence.

Veterinarians start strategically vaccinating puppies during this time frame so their immune systems can learn how to fight life-threatening diseases. Maternal antibodies can also inadvertently neutralize most vaccines, so puppy shots won’t be protective until their immune system matures enough to take over. This is why a series of boosters are recommended between the ages of around 6 to 20 weeks.

What Vaccines Do Puppies Need?

All puppies should be administered certain core vaccines which provide immunity against the most dangerous and widespread diseases. 'Core' vaccines are the ones considered most essential for puppies in most geographical locations. These include distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus (hepatitis), and rabies.

Depending on your location and your puppy's environment, non-core vaccines may also be recommended, such as Bordetella, lepto, and Lyme. Talk to your vet about your puppy’s risk of exposure to these diseases so they can create the right puppy vaccine schedule.

Distemper

Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that is often fatal in puppies. The virus starts in the respiratory system, causing coughing, fever, and discharge from the eyes and nose. Soon, it begins to affect other systems in the body, leading to diarrhealoss of appetite, seizures, and dry or cracked nose and paw pads.

The canine distemper vaccine is considered a core vaccine and is typically given as part of a combination vaccine called DA2PP or DHPP. Puppies should receive at least three DA2PP vaccines between 6 and 16 weeks of age, spaced two to four weeks apart. This vaccine should be given again one year later. After that, most dogs can move to a three-year schedule for the DA2PP vaccine.

Adenovirus type-2

Canine adenovirus has two types: CAV-1 causes infectious canine hepatitis, an inflammatory liver condition. CAV-2 is associated with canine infectious respiratory disease complex. Although the vaccine contains CAV-2, it's effective against CAV-1 and is primarily intended to prevent infectious hepatitis in dogs. The adenovirus vaccine is also a core vaccine and another component of the DA2PP vaccine.

Parvo

Parvo is another extremely contagious viral disease with a high fatality rate in puppies. The virus attacks the rapidly dividing cells in the bone marrow and intestines, causing severe diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and lethargy. Parvo is considered a core vaccine and is also part of the DA2PP combination vaccine.

Parainfluenza

Parainfluenza is a highly contagious virus that affects the respiratory system in dogs. It's one of several viruses that can cause infectious tracheobronchitis, also called kennel cough. Signs include fever, coughing, and nasal congestion/discharge. The parainfluenza vaccine is the last part of the DA2PP combination and is a core vaccine.

Rabies

Rabies is a neurological disease caused by Lyssavirus. It's transmitted through saliva via bites or scratches and can affect any mammal, including humans. Rabies vaccination is required by law in most states and is recommended by most veterinarians for public health and safety reasons. Puppies receive their first rabies vaccine around 16 weeks of age. The vaccine must be given every one to three years depending on state laws and 3-year vaccine availability.

Bordetella

Bordetella is a type of bacteria known to cause tracheobronchitis in dogs, a common condition often called kennel cough. While several bacteria and viruses can cause kennel cough, the Bordetella bronchieseptica bacteria is a common culprit. Vaccination can prevent outbreaks where dogs spend a lot of time, such as dog parks, groomers, or doggie daycare.

Not all dogs need the Bordetella vaccine, but it's recommended for any dog that may spend time where dogs congregate. Puppies get their first Bordetella vaccine around 6 to 8 weeks of age, then again at two- to four-week intervals until around 16 weeks of age. This vaccine should be repeated at least once per year, but some dog facilities require boosters every six months.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a type of bacteria found in the urine of wildlife, such as deer and rodents. The bacteria can survive in soil, water, and damp grass. Dogs can come into contact with the bacteria by drinking from contaminated water or grooming their paws after walking through a contaminated area. Leptospirosis makes dogs very sick and can lead to kidney failure, liver failure, and lung disease. Plus, the bacteria can be passed to people, making this a zoonotic disease.

While technically considered a non-core vaccine, many veterinarians recommend vaccination because the leptospirosis bacteria is common and has potentially serious effects. Puppies get their first lepto vaccine around 12 weeks of age, then a booster within two to four weeks. The lepto vaccine should be repeated annually.

Canine Influenza

Canine influenza is a type of flu virus that affects dogs. The variants H3N8 and H3N2 both cause respiratory illness and are easily transmitted to other dogs. A vaccine is available for each strain, but some veterinarians recommend the bivalent vaccine because it covers both strains. This is a non-core vaccine that is recommended for dogs that will often spend time around unknown dogs.

Lyme

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the U.S. It's caused by an infection of the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted via tick bite. Dogs with Lyme disease may experience many symptoms, including fever and joint swelling. This non-core vaccine is recommended for dogs who spend time in areas where ticks are prevalent. Puppies can get their first vaccine around 9 to 12 weeks of age followed by a booster two to four weeks later. The Lyme vaccine should be repeated annually.

Puppy Vaccine Schedule

The following is a typical puppy vaccine schedule to give you an idea of what veterinarians recommend based on AAHA guidelines.

Age Recommended Optional Vaccinations Other procedures
6 to 8 weeks DA2PP Bordetella (kennel cough), Influenza Exam, deworm and start heartworm prevention
9 to 11 weeks DA2PP Bordetella, Influenza Deworm and/or fecal (test for internal parasites)
12 to 14 weeks DA2PP Lyme disease, leptospirosis Deworm and/or fecal
16 weeks Rabies (varies by state), DA2PP Lyme disease, leptospirosis Fecal
12 to 16 months Rabies, DA2PP Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme, Influenza Exam, fecal, and heartworm test
Every one year Rabies (if annual vaccine required by law) Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme, Influenza Exam, fecal, and heartworm test
Every three years DA2PP, rabies (if permitted by law in your jurisdiction)

What to Expect After Puppy Vaccines

Your puppy will likely be tired or mildly lethargic for a day or two after vaccines. Let your puppy rest, but keep an eye out for signs of illness. Vaccine reactions and side effects are typically mild and self-limiting. Signs may include pain and swelling at the injection site, lethargy, or fever. Severe allergic reactions are rare but can become serious if left untreated. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your puppy develops hives, facial swelling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, or bloody diarrhea.

Despite the potential side effects, the benefits outweigh the risks when it comes to puppy vaccines. Sadly, puppies who are not vaccinated are at high risk for contracting diseases that can be very serious, and often fatal such as distemper and parvovirus.

How Much Do Puppy Vaccines Cost?

The cost of puppy vaccines varies based on your region and the vaccines your puppy needs. The best way to budget for this is to ask your vet's office for an estimate based on the recommended puppy vaccine schedule. Expect to pay anywhere between $20 to $60 for each vaccine and booster Additional costs may include examinations, deworming, and fecal screening tests to check for intestinal parasites. You should expect to pay at least $100 to $150 for the first puppy visit, which typically includes an exam, vaccines, and deworming.

Protect your new puppies and dogs by budgeting for these vital vaccinations. It’s much easier, safer, and cheaper to prevent illness than to diagnose and treat once your furry love becomes sick.

Of course, taking your dog to the vet can be easier said than done, but with training for gentle handling and restraint, your life (and your dog's life) will be much easier.

The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Chastant, Sylvie, and Hanna Mila. Passive Immune Transfer In PuppiesAnimal Reproduction Science, vol 207, 2019, pp. 162-170. Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.06.012

  2. 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination GuidelinesAmerican Animal Hospital Association, 2020

  3. Recommendations for core and noncore canine vaccines. AAHA.

  4. Canine Adenovirus (CAV). AAHA.

  5. What to expect after your pet's vaccinationAmerican Veterinary Medical Foundation, 2020