Puppy Vaccine Schedule

What Are Core Vaccinations for Puppies?

Core vaccinations protect all puppies against serious, often fatal diseases. These vaccines form the foundation of your puppy's immune protection and are recommended for every dog, regardless of lifestyle or location.

Canine Distemper

Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. It spreads through airborne exposure and contact with infected bodily fluids. The disease carries a high mortality rate, particularly in young puppies.

Canine Parvovirus

Parvovirus attacks the gastrointestinal tract and causes severe vomiting, bloody diarrhoea and rapid dehydration. The virus spreads through contaminated faeces and can survive in the environment for months. Puppies are particularly vulnerable, the mortality rate is high.

Canine Adenovirus

Adenovirus type 1 causes infectious hepatitis, affecting the liver, kidneys and blood vessels. Adenovirus type 2 contributes to kennel cough. Modern vaccines typically protect against both strains with a single injection.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated water and contact with infected urine. The disease can cause liver and kidney failure in dogs and can spread to humans. Annual boosters are required as immunity wanes more quickly than with other core vaccines.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule Timeline

The typical puppy vaccination schedule in the UK consists of two or three doses, depending on your puppy's age and individual circumstances. Your vet will determine the most appropriate schedule during your initial consultation.

First Vaccination: 6 to 8 Weeks

Puppies receive their initial dose between 6 and 8 weeks of age. This first injection typically covers distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus and leptospirosis. Maternal antibodies inherited from the mother provide some early protection but gradually decline, making vaccination important at this stage.

Second Vaccination: 10 to 12 Weeks

The second dose is administered 2 to 4 weeks after the first vaccination, usually at 10 to 12 weeks of age. This booster dose helps build stronger immunity as maternal antibodies continue to decline.

Third Vaccination: 14 to 16 Weeks

Puppies may require a third vaccination at 14 to 16 weeks, particularly if they started their course very early or have specific health or breed considerations. Your vet will recommend whether your puppy needs this additional dose based on their clinical assessment.

Non-Core Vaccinations Based on Lifestyle

Beyond core vaccines, additional protection may be appropriate depending on your puppy's planned activities and exposure risks.

Kennel Cough (Bordetella)

Kennel cough is a respiratory infection causing a persistent, harsh cough that can last several weeks. This vaccination is highly recommended for puppies who will interact with multiple dogs. Many kennel or daycare facilities require proof of kennel cough vaccination before accepting dogs.

Rabies

Rabies vaccination is not routinely given in the UK as the country is rabies-free. However, if you plan to travel abroad with your puppy, rabies vaccination may be mandatory.

Assessing Your Puppy's Needs

During your initial consultation, your Medivet vet will discuss your puppy's lifestyle, where you live, and your plans for socialisation and travel. This conversation helps determine which non-core vaccinations would benefit your puppy's specific circumstances.

When Can Puppies Go Outside After Vaccinations?

One of the most common questions from new puppy owners concerns when it's safe to take their puppy outdoors and begin socialisation.

After the First Vaccination

Following the first jab at 6 to 8 weeks, your puppy has some protection but not enough to safely encounter unvaccinated dogs or visit public areas. You can carry your puppy outside for short periods to experience new sights and sounds, but avoid putting them down on the ground in areas where unvaccinated dogs may have been.

After the Second Vaccination

Most puppies can safely go on walks and socialise with other dogs approximately two weeks after their second vaccination, typically around 12 to 14 weeks of age. This waiting period allows the vaccine to become fully effective.

Safe Socialisation Before Full Vaccination

Early socialisation is important for your puppy's behavioural development. Before your puppy is fully vaccinated, you can:

• Invite friends with vaccinated, friendly dogs to your home or garden
• Carry your puppy in public places to observe the world
• Allow garden access if you control which animals visit

Risks of Early Exposure

Taking your puppy to public spaces before they're fully vaccinated exposes them to potentially contaminated environments. Parvovirus, in particular, can survive in soil and on surfaces for extended periods. Parks, pavements and areas frequented by dogs carry higher risks.

What to Expect After Your Puppy's Jabs

Most puppies experience minimal side effects following vaccination, though some reactions are normal as their immune system responds.

Common Mild Reactions

Your puppy may feel slightly tired or less energetic for 24 to 48 hours after vaccination. Some puppies develop a small, firm swelling at the injection site that typically resolves within a few days. Mild fever and decreased appetite can also occur but usually pass quickly.

Monitoring Your Puppy

After vaccination, keep your puppy calm and comfortable at home. Provide a quiet resting space, maintain normal feeding schedules, and avoid strenuous exercise for the first day. Monitor the injection site for excessive swelling, heat or pain.

When to Contact Your Vet

Serious reactions are rare but require immediate attention. Contact your Medivet practice straight away if your puppy experiences:

• Facial swelling, particularly around the eyes or muzzle
• Difficulty breathing or persistent coughing
• Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea
• Collapse or extreme lethargy
• Hives or intense itching

Most adverse reactions occur within the first few hours after vaccination, though monitoring should continue for 48 hours.

Booster Vaccinations and Long-Term Protection

Vaccination doesn't end with the puppy course. Maintaining immunity throughout your dog's life requires regular boosters.

First Annual Booster

Your dog needs their first annual booster at approximately 12 months old, one year after completing the puppy course. This booster maintains protection against all core diseases.

Ongoing Booster Schedule

After the first annual booster, your vet will recommend an ongoing vaccination schedule. Some components require annual boosters, particularly leptospirosis, while others may provide protection for longer periods. Your Medivet vet will create a personalised schedule based on current veterinary guidelines and your dog's individual needs.

Why Boosters Matter

Immunity naturally declines over time. Without regular boosters, your dog becomes vulnerable to infection again. Widespread vaccination programmes and consistent booster uptake help maintain herd immunity, protecting the entire dog population, including puppies too young to be fully vaccinated and dogs with medical conditions preventing vaccination.

Vaccination Records

Keep your puppy's vaccination record in a safe place. You'll need to present this document when:

• Booking boarding kennels or daycare
• Attending training classes
• Registering with a new veterinary practice
• Travelling abroad- although you will likely need other documentation too
• Obtaining pet insurance

Health Checks and Monitoring Throughout Vaccination

Regular health monitoring during your puppy's vaccination course helps detect potential issues early and allows your vet to track your puppy's development.

Pre-Vaccination Health Checks

Before each vaccination, your vet performs a thorough health assessment. Puppies must be healthy to receive vaccines safely. Your vet checks temperature, heart and lung function, hydration status, and overall condition before administering any injection.

Discussing Concerns

These appointments provide excellent opportunities to discuss any concerns about your puppy's health, behaviour, diet or development. Medivet's 15-minute consultations give you time to ask questions and receive guidance.

Parasite Control

During vaccination visits, your vet will also discuss flea and worming treatments. Puppies often require regular parasite control from a young age, and integrating this with your vaccination schedule helps maintain your puppy's overall health.

Maternal Antibodies and Vaccine Timing

Puppies receive temporary immunity from their mother's first milk (colostrum). These maternal antibodies provide valuable early protection but can interfere with vaccine effectiveness if levels remain too high. The vaccination schedule is designed to bridge the period when maternal immunity wanes but before the puppy becomes vulnerable to infection. In some cases, this timing requires the third vaccination to make certain adequate protection develops.

Medivet Healthcare Plans for Complete Puppy Protection

Managing vaccination schedules and ongoing preventative care becomes simpler with a Medivet Healthcare Plan designed specifically for your puppy's needs.

What's Included

Medivet Healthcare Plans for dogs include:

• Complete puppy vaccination course (two or three doses as clinically recommended)
• Annual vaccination boosters including kennel cough
• Complimentary first puppy health check
• Necessary flea and worm treatments
• Minimum 10% discount on all other veterinary care

Value and Convenience

Healthcare Plan members save an average of £225 each year compared to paying for individual treatments. The plan spreads the cost of preventative care into manageable monthly payments, making it easier to budget for your puppy's healthcare needs.

Getting Started

Speak to your local Medivet practice about Healthcare Plans during your complimentary first puppy appointment. The team will explain the options available and help you choose the plan that best suits your puppy and your circumstances.