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When should my 6-week-old puppy receive their first vaccinations?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Bulldog | Female | 1 month and 16 days old | 3 lbs

When I can get my puppies vaccine shots ? My puppies is 6 week pld

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on January 12th, 2018

The first vaccine (a DAPP shot, which contains distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, and parainfluenza) should be given at 6-8 weeks of age, so your puppy is old enough now to start her vaccinations. I would recommend having this done at a veterinarian's office, to ensure that the vaccine will be effective.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on December 1st, 2016

    Your puppy will need his first vaccine when he is 6 weeks old - it should be a DAPP vaccine (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza). This vaccine will need to be boostered every 3 weeks until he is 16 weeks or older, and he will also need a rabies vaccine at that time.

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    Answered By Jacqueline Nobles, DVM, DACVECC

    Veterinarian, Board-Certified Emergency/Critical Care Specialist

    Published on April 27th, 2017

    Hello, Most puppies are protected by maternal antibodies from the dam's colostrum in the first weeks of life. In most puppies, passive immunity will have waned by 8–12 weeks of age to a level that allows active immunization. Puppies without adequate antibodies derived from the dam during nursing may be vulnerable at an earlier age, while others may possess antibodies at such high level that they are incapable of responding to vaccination until ≥12 weeks of age. Therefore, the recommendation for core vaccines (those vaccines we deem necessary to prevent disease independent of circumstance-location, exposure, etc) is for initial core vaccination at 6–8 weeks of age, then every 2–4 weeks until 16 weeks of age or older. The number of puppy primary core vaccinations will be determined by the age at which vaccination is started and the selected interval between vaccinations. At the very minimum, Sir should receive his core vaccines which include distemper, parvo, adenovirus, and rabies which is required by law. If he has not had previous vaccines, the veterinarian will likely recommend at least 1-2 series of booster shots. Furthermore, additional vaccines for diseases such as canine kennel cough, leptospirosis and influenza may be recommended depending on location and exposure.

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