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Is it okay to give my puppy the distemper shot before 6 weeks?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Is it safe for a puppy to get distemper vaccine 3 days short of 6 weeks old?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 1st, 2017

It's safe to give, but unnecessary to give this early. The way vaccines work is that you are trying to booster the vaccines several times to make sure the pets maternal antibodies don't wipe out the vaccine entirely and allow the pet to be protected. So yes we can start vaccines around 6 weeks of age, but generally we like to start closer to 8 weeks and give them 3-4 weeks apart until the pet is around 14-16 weeks of age. So regardless of when you start, make sure your pet has the proper amount of boosters and at the recommended time frame. I hope this helps and best wishes with your puppy.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Vaccines are labeled for use in puppies as early as 6 weeks of age, but should not be used before that point both due to safety concerns and due their developing immune systems. I would not give a vaccine to a 5.5 week old puppy and would try to wait until between 6-8 weeks of age for the first round of vaccines.

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    Answered By Dr. Kristin DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Yes it is safe, if you have a reason to give it now (required by housing or travel), but in general we start at 8 weeks and then repeat at 12 and 16 weeks of age. Their immune system isn't mature enough to mount an appropriate response to the vaccines. If you start it early, you will still need to make sure your puppy receives those booster vaccinations.

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