AVMA Vaccination Recommendations for Dogs
| Puppy Vaccination Schedule |
| Age |
Vaccination |
| 5 weeks |
Parvovirus: for puppies at high risk of exposure to parvo, some veterinarians recommend vaccinating at 5 weeks. Check with your veterinarian. |
| 6 & 9 weeks |
Combination vaccine* without leptospirosis.
Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern. |
| 12 weeks or older |
Rabies: Given by your local veterinarian (age at vaccination may vary according to local law). |
| 12 & 15 weeks** |
Combination vaccine
Leptospirosis: include leptosporosis in the combination vaccine where leptospirosis is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs.
Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern.
Lyme: where Lyme disease is a concern or if traveling to an area where it occurs. |
| Adult (boosters)§ |
Combination vaccine
Leptospirosis: include leptospirosis in the combination vaccine where leptospirosis is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs.
Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern.
Lyme: where Lyme disease is a concern or if traveling to an area where it occurs.
Rabies: Given by your local veterinarian (time interval between vaccinations may vary according to local law). |
| *A combination vaccine, often called a 5-way vaccine, usually includes adenovirus cough and hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Some combination vaccines may also include leptospirosis (7-way vaccines) and/or coronavirus. The inclusion of either canine adenovirus-1 or adenovirus-2 in a vaccine will protect against both adenovirus cough and hepatitis; adenovirus-2 is highly preferred.
**Some puppies may need additional vaccinations against parvovirus after 15 weeks of age. Consult with your local veterinarian.
§ According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs at low risk of disease exposure may not need to be boostered yearly for most diseases. Consult with your local veterinarian to determine the appropriate vaccination schedule for your dog. Remember, recommendations vary depending on the age, breed, and health status of the dog, the potential of the dog to be exposed to the disease, the type of vaccine, whether the dog is used for breeding, and the geographical area where the dog lives or may visit.
Bordetella and parainfluenza: For complete canine cough protection, we recommend Intra-Trac II ADT. For dogs that are shown, in field trials, or are boarded, we recommend vaccination every six months with Intra-Trac II ADT. |
It is NOT true that a small breed of puppy should receive a smaller vaccine dose than puppies of larger breeds. All puppies regardless of age, body weight, breed, and gender are given the same vaccine dose. Vaccines are generally administered in one milliliter (cc) doses.
Simply follow the manufacturer's recommendations. To administer a lesser vaccine amount than recommended will likely result in insufficient immunity.
| Component |
Class |
Efficacy |
Length of Immunity |
Risk/Severity of Adverse Effects |
Comments |
| Canine Distemper |
Core |
High |
> 1 year for modified live virus (MLV) vaccines |
Low |
|
| Measles |
Noncore |
High in preventing disease, but not in preventing infection |
Long |
Infrequent |
Use in high risk environments for canine distemper in puppies 4-10 weeks of age |
| Parvovirus |
Core |
High |
> 1 year |
Low |
|
| Hepatitis |
Core |
High |
> 1 year |
Low |
Only use canine adenovirus-2 (CAV-2) vaccines |
| Rabies |
Core |
High |
Dependent upon type of vaccine |
Low to moderate |
|
| Respiratory disease from canine adenovirus-2 (CAV-2) |
Noncore |
Not adequately studied |
Short |
Minimal |
If vaccination warranted, boost annually or more frequently |
| Parainfluenza |
Noncore |
Intranasal MLV - Moderate Injectable MLV - Low |
Moderate |
Low |
Only recommended for dogs in kennels, shelters, shows, or large colonies; If vaccination warranted, boost annually or more frequently |
| Bordetella |
Noncore |
Intranasal MLV - Moderate Injectable MLV - Low |
Short |
Low |
For the most benefit, use intranasal vaccine 2 weeks prior to exposure |
| Leptospirosis |
Noncore |
Variable |
Short |
High |
Up to 30% of dogs may not respond to vaccine |
| Coronavirus |
Noncore |
Low |
Short |
Low |
Risk of exposure high in kennels, shelters, shows, breeding facilities |
| Lyme |
Noncore |
Appears to be limited to previously unexposed dogs; variable |
Revaccinate annually |
Moderate |
|
References:
Drs Foster & Smith
|
