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Is my puppy fully protected after his last DHPP shot at 14 weeks?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Australian Shepherd | Male | neutered | 2 months and 25 days old | 5 lbs

My puppy has just received his last DHPP shot, the 4th one, at 14 weeks. The rescue did them every two weeks beginning at 6 weeks. Is my puppy protected? Is he finished too early?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

Veterinarian

Published on January 15th, 2021

It's recommended to give the DHPP vaccine every 3-4 weeks from 6 weeks of age until AT LEAST 16 weeks of age. (Some recommendations are starting to shift to 20 weeks for the last puppy vaccination.) The reason for this is that the antibodies that the mom transfers to puppies through their milk begin to wane sometime around 10-16 weeks of age. Therefore, it's important that puppies receive their final booster vaccine after the maternal antibodies have faded so that they can mount their own immune system response and develop their own longer-lasting antibodies. I would definitely talk to your vet about getting one more booster for Bandit between 17-18 weeks of age because I would not consider him to be protected at this point. After that point, he would need another DHPP vaccine next year.

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 13th, 2017

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! My recommendations are DHPP vaccines every 3-4 weeks until 2 are given past 12 weeks of age. If the last 2 vaccines were for sure at 12 and 15 weeks then Milo is properly vaccinated. I would allow 2-3 weeks after the last vaccination at 15 weeks before allowing him around other puppies or unvaccinated dogs. I hope this helps and have a great day!

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    Answered By Dr. Dayna, DVM, CVA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on November 6th, 2018

    It’s not the number of vaccines specifically, but the timing and the age at which the “last” DA2PPV is given. We know that mom’s antibodies can interfere with the puppy having a complete antibody response up until about 16 weeks. This is why we booster the vaccines every 3-4 weeks with the “last” one being at 16 weeks or older so we know they will mount a good response. So for your puppy I would not consider him fully vaccinated unless he had a DA2PPV after 10/24/18 (16 weeks). Your last one was just a few days early so it is probably ok but different veterinarians may want to be confident that she was 16+ weeks . Long story short I would feel comfortable with the 10/23 Vaccine being her last one but I also think it is reasonable to want one more. I would especially consider this if you are in a high parvovirus or distemper area. Best of luck and I hope this helped answer your question. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

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