Your Puppy's Vaccine Schedule: What to Expect in the First Year

Puppies are born with some maternal antibody protection that gradually wanes between 6 and 16 weeks of age — a window when vaccines must be timed precisely to take effect before immunity runs out. This is why puppy vaccines are given in a series rather than all at once. The goal is to catch your puppy just as maternal antibodies drop, so the vaccine can generate a durable immune response.

The core vaccine series for dogs recommended by the AAHA begins at 6–8 weeks with the first DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) combination. This is repeated every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks of age — typically at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks. Parvovirus is the most critical target; it's highly contagious and can be fatal in unvaccinated puppies. Distemper is similarly serious, attacking the nervous and respiratory systems. The 16-week booster is often the most important in the series because it's the first given after maternal antibodies have fully cleared.

At the 12–16 week visit, your puppy will also receive their first Rabies vaccine, which is legally required in New York and New Jersey. If your puppy will spend time around other dogs (dog parks, boarding, training classes), we recommend Bordetella (kennel cough) starting at 8 weeks. Leptospira vaccination is strongly recommended for NYC and Brooklyn puppies given the high urban rat population — leptospirosis is transmitted through rat urine in puddles and standing water. Lyme disease vaccine is appropriate for puppies who visit parks or the countryside. These lifestyle vaccines are typically started at 12–16 weeks and require a booster 3–4 weeks later.

At 1 year old, your dog needs boosters for DHPP, Rabies (a 1-year booster after the puppy series, then every 3 years), Bordetella (annually), and Leptospira (annually). After completing the puppy series and one-year boosters, many core vaccines transition to a 3-year schedule for adult dogs with demonstrated immunity. We'll give you a personalized reminder schedule so nothing falls through the cracks.