Puppy Vaccination Schedule: What Shots and When
Most puppies get their first core shots at 6 to 8 weeks, then boosters every 2 to 4 weeks until they are at least 16 weeks old. Rabies is usually given at 12 to 16 weeks. Your vet sets the exact dates for your puppy.
This guide is for puppies in the United States and follows the 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines, which the American Animal Hospital Association updated in 2024. It explains the schedule so you can plan visits and ask good questions. It does not replace your vet’s plan, which also depends on your puppy’s history, your region, and the law where you live. Bring any records from the breeder or shelter to your first vet visit.
Which vaccines are core vaccines for puppies?
Core vaccines protect against serious, widespread diseases and are recommended for every dog. AAHA lists distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, leptospirosis, and rabies as core, with parainfluenza sometimes included in the combination shot. Leptospirosis became a core vaccine in AAHA’s 2024 update.
| Vaccine | Protects against | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus (often called DHPP or DA2PP) | Three serious viral diseases, and often parainfluenza too | Given as one combination shot in a series of boosters |
| Leptospirosis | A bacterial infection spread through contaminated water and animal urine, which can also affect people | Usually needs a first dose and a booster a few weeks later |
| Rabies | A fatal viral disease that spreads to people | Required by law in most states, with rules that vary by state |
What is a typical puppy vaccination schedule?
AAHA recommends at least three doses of the combination vaccine, starting at 6 to 8 weeks of age and spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart, with the final dose given at 16 weeks or older. Rabies is a single dose at 12 to 16 weeks, in line with local law.
| Puppy age | What is usually given |
|---|---|
| 6 to 8 weeks | First combination vaccine (DHPP or DA2PP) |
| 10 to 12 weeks | Second combination dose. Your vet may also start the leptospirosis series around this time. |
| 12 to 16 weeks | Rabies vaccine, as local law requires |
| 14 to 16 weeks or older | Final combination dose, given at 16 weeks or older |
| About 1 year | Booster visit. After that, many core vaccines are repeated every 3 years, depending on the vaccine and local law. |
The timing is a range because puppies start at different ages and vaccine products differ. Many puppies end up with three or four vet visits in their first four months. Use the table to know what to expect, and let your vet confirm the dates.
Why does a puppy need several rounds of shots?
Puppies get temporary protection from their mother, and that protection can block a vaccine from working. Nobody can predict exactly when it fades, so vets give a series of doses and make sure the last one comes at 16 weeks or later. That final dose closes any gap in protection.
Which vaccines depend on your puppy’s lifestyle?
AAHA lists Lyme disease, Bordetella (a cause of kennel cough), canine influenza, and rattlesnake toxoid as non-core vaccines. They are just as important for some dogs, depending on where you live and what your puppy does. Ask your vet about them if your puppy will go to daycare, boarding, grooming, dog parks, or tick or snake areas.
When is your puppy fully protected?
Your puppy is best protected once the whole series is finished, including the dose given at 16 weeks or later. Until then, ask your vet which places are safe. Many vets advise avoiding spots where unvaccinated dogs gather, such as dog parks and pet store floors, while still letting your puppy meet healthy, vaccinated dogs and new people in controlled ways. Our first week guide has ideas for safe early experiences.
What if a dose was missed or the history is unknown?
Tell your vet and bring any paperwork you have. AAHA’s guidance is that when vaccines are overdue or unknown, the benefits usually outweigh the risks, so your vet will likely restart or continue the series. Do not guess or skip ahead. Your vet will decide the plan.
What side effects can puppy vaccines cause?
Most puppies are fine. Some are tired, sore at the injection site, or eat less for a day. Serious reactions are rare, but call your vet or an emergency clinic right away if your puppy has facial swelling, hives, repeated vomiting, trouble breathing, or collapses.
Frequently asked questions
Puppies need at least three doses of the combination vaccine, plus rabies and, in most cases, a leptospirosis series. Your vet decides the total based on your puppy’s age at the first visit and its health.
Ask your vet. Most vets say outdoor toilet trips at home are fine, but advise avoiding places where unvaccinated dogs gather, such as dog parks, until the series is complete.
In most US states, yes. The age and booster rules vary by state and by the vaccine used. Your vet will give you a rabies certificate, so keep it somewhere safe.
The American Animal Hospital Association updated its guidelines in 2024 to list leptospirosis as a core vaccine for all dogs. Ask your vet about the right timing for your puppy.
Related guides
- New puppy checklist: what to buy before day one
- First week with a new puppy: day-by-day schedule
- How to crate train a puppy: step-by-step guide
- Puppy first vet visit: what to bring and expect
- Puppy flea, tick, and heartworm prevention: when to start
- Puppy socialization: checklist and safe steps
- How much exercise does a puppy need? Walks, play, and rest
This guide has not yet been reviewed by a veterinarian.