What to Get, When to Get Them & Why it Matters

A BoosterPet Guide for National Pet Vaccine Awareness Month

We know bringing home a new puppy is one of the best feelings in the world, however when to get vaccines and why they’re needed isn’t always super clear.

The good news is that puppy vaccinations follow a pretty predictable schedule, and understanding the "why" behind them makes the whole process feel a lot less overwhelming. This guide walks you through everything you need to know: from how puppy immunity works, to which vaccines are core vs. optional, to what you can realistically expect to spend and possibly save! And booster shots! (wonder where we get the name BoosterPet from? We love preventive care and wellness!).

IN THIS ARTICLE…

Why Puppy Vaccines are Necessary
Puppy Vaccination Schedule: A Week-by-Week Guide
Core Vaccines Explained
Lifestyle Vaccines: Does My Puppy Need Them?
How Much Do Puppy Vaccines Cost?
What Happens If You Skip Vaccines? (Lily’ Story)

WHY PUPPY VACCINES ARE NECESSARY

The technical version: Puppies are born with what's called maternal immunity — antibodies passed from their mother through the first milk (colostrum). For the first several weeks of life, these borrowed antibodies offer some protection against disease. But they fade. And as they do, puppies become increasingly vulnerable to serious, sometimes fatal illnesses.

Vaccines step in to bridge that gap. They introduce a weakened or inactivated form of a virus or bacteria that teaches your puppy's immune system to recognize and fight the real thing — without causing the disease itself.

The reason puppies get multiple rounds of vaccines (rather than one shot and done) is that maternal antibodies can actually interfere with early vaccines. A series of doses over several weeks ensures that as that borrowed protection fades, your puppy's own immunity takes over. Your vet times these carefully to minimize any gaps in protection.

The simple reason: Vaccinations are integral to a long, healthy, and happy life for your pup, and some of them are legally required by Washington. Vaccinations can also save you thousands of dollars from hospitalization and serious disease. They’re one of the most powerful tools for preventive and routine care.

PUPPY VACCINATION SCHEDULE: A WEEK-BY-WEEK GUIDE

Vaccination timing isn't arbitrary — it's based on decades of veterinary immunology research. Here's what a typical schedule looks like:

6–8 weeks: First DHAPP dose

9–11 weeks: Second DHAPP dose

12–14 weeks: Third DHAPP dose + Leptospirosis

15–16 weeks: Final DHAPP booster + Leptospirosis booster + Rabies vaccine

12–16 months: Annual boosters; rabies re-administered per local law

Your vet may adjust this timeline based on your puppy's health history, where you live, and their risk of exposure to certain diseases. This is a general roadmap — your vet's guidance always takes priority.

CORE VACCINES EXPLAINED

Core vaccines are recommended for virtually every puppy, regardless of lifestyle or location. These protect against diseases that are widespread, highly contagious, and potentially fatal.

DHAPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)

This is the big one — a combination vaccine that protects against four serious diseases at once.

Distemper attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. It's contagious, incurable, and often fatal in puppies.
Adenovirus causes infectious canine hepatitis, which can damage the liver, kidneys, and eyes.
Parvovirus (parvo) is a rapid, devastating illness that destroys a puppy's intestinal lining and immune cells. It spreads easily through contaminated soil, feces, and even on shoes — meaning an unvaccinated puppy isn't safe even in their own backyard. Treatment requires intensive supportive care and can still be unsuccessful. Prevention is dramatically simpler and far less heartbreaking.
Parainfluenza is a respiratory virus that contributes to kennel cough. It's rarely fatal on its own but spreads quickly between dogs in close contact.
Rabies Vaccine is required by law in most U.S. states, including Washington, and for good reason — rabies is fatal to both animals and humans with no treatment once symptoms appear. Puppies typically receive their first rabies vaccine between 12 and 16 weeks. A booster follows one year later, then typically every three years after that depending on local regulations.
Leptospirosis (Lepto) is a bacterial infection spread through the urine of wildlife including raccoons, deer, and rats — common in many suburban and rural environments. It can cause kidney and liver failure in dogs, and it's one of the few diseases on this list that can also infect people. Your vet can assess whether your puppy's environment puts them at risk.

LIFESTYLE VACCINES: DOES MY PUPPY NEED THEM?

These aren't required for every dog, but they may be strongly recommended depending on your puppy's lifestyle and where you live.

Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
If your puppy will attend doggy daycare, boarding, grooming, or training classes, most facilities require proof of Bordetella vaccination. Kennel cough spreads extremely easily in group settings — think of it like the common cold of the dog world. It's uncomfortable and disruptive even when it's not dangerous.
Lyme Disease Vaccine
If you live in or frequently visit areas with significant tick populations — much of the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and parts of the Pacific Coast — your vet may recommend vaccinating against Lyme disease. Ticks are active year-round in many climates, not just summer.
Canine Influenza
Dog flu outbreaks are most common in densely populated urban areas. Your vet can tell you whether it's been circulating locally and whether your puppy's lifestyle puts them at meaningful risk.

HOW MUCH DO PUPPY VACCINES COST?

Core puppy vaccines cost $42.50 each at BoosterPet. Over the full puppy series during the first four months, most families spend somewhere around $200 on vaccinations.

That might feel like a lot during an already expensive few months of puppyhood. But it's worth putting in context: treatment for a serious, preventable illness like parvovirus can cost anywhere from several hundred dollars to well over $5,000 depending on severity — and that's with no guarantee of recovery.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU SKIP VACCINES? LILY’S STORY.

Here’s a quick story from a BoosterPet client (don’t worry it ends happily). Lily came home as a puppy full of energy and curiosity — but before a week had even passed, she got very sick.

Her owner noticed something was wrong quickly: Lily became lethargic, stopped eating, and developed severe vomiting and diarrhea. The diagnosis was canine parvovirus.

One animal hospital quoted a treatment plan of around $10,000 for a week of overnight hospitalization — with no guarantee Lily would survive. Facing that kind of cost and uncertainty, her owner reached out to BoosterPet.

Our veterinary team worked with Lily’s owner to build a home-supportive care plan that included fluids, antibiotics, anti-nausea medication, and detailed guidance for round-the-clock care at home. It cost a fraction of the hospitalization estimate. And Lily made it!

Today she's healthy, happy, and fully vaccinated.

Her story isn't meant to frighten anyone — it's meant to show that the gap between a $42.50 vaccine and a multi-thousand-dollar emergency is very real, and very preventable.

MARCH IS NATIONAL PET VACCINE AWARENESS MONTH!!!

This spring there's no better time to check whether your puppy (or adult dog) is up to date on their vaccinations. If you're not sure where they stand, a quick call to your vet — or a visit to BoosterPet — can get you sorted. Dogs need boosters throughout their life to maintain protection from diseases. Regular wellness exams and talking with your veterinarian will help you stay on track!

Note: This article is not intended as a substitute for veterinary care by a licensed veterinarian. Contact your veterinarian for any health-related advice concerning the treatment of your pet.

Puppy Vaccinations Guide