US puppy vaccination schedule (AAHA 2022 guidelines)
The canonical US puppy vaccination schedule, following the AAHA 2022 Canine Vaccination Guidelines. This is what most US veterinarians use as their baseline protocol, though individual vet practices may adjust timing by 1-2 weeks based on your puppy's specific circumstances.
Canonical AAHA 2022 puppy schedule
| Age | Core vaccines | Non-core (lifestyle) | Notes | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 weeks | DHPP -- dose 1 (Distemper, Hepatitis/Adenovirus-2, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza) | Bordetella (if boarding/daycare exposure) | Begin if in shelter or high-risk environment. For home-reared puppies, vet may delay to 8 weeks. | $45--95 |
| 9--10 weeks | DHPP -- dose 2 | Leptospirosis -- dose 1 (if rural, water access, or wildlife exposure) Bordetella dose 2 (if injectable form) | Peak of the socialization window (3-14 weeks). Puppy classes strongly recommended. | $55--120 |
| 12--13 weeks | DHPP -- dose 3 Rabies -- first dose (legally required in most states) | Leptospirosis -- dose 2 Lyme -- dose 1 (if tick-endemic area) Canine Influenza H3N2 + H3N8 -- dose 1 (if exposure risk) | Rabies is given at 12-16 weeks per most state laws. Confirm your state's minimum age requirement. | $75--145 |
| 16 weeks | DHPP -- dose 4 (final puppy dose -- critical for maternal antibody override) | Lyme -- dose 2 Canine Influenza -- dose 2 | The 16-week dose is non-negotiable per AAHA 2022. Maternal antibodies may have blocked earlier doses. Two weeks after this visit, your puppy is fully protected. | $55--125 |
| 12--16 months | DHPP -- 1-year booster Rabies -- 1-year booster (then 1-year or 3-year cycle by state law) | Bordetella annual Lepto annual Lyme annual Canine Flu annual | This is the most important booster -- it closes the window left by potential maternal antibody interference in the puppy series. | $75--160 |
Core vs non-core vaccines under AAHA 2022
AAHA 2022 uses a tiered classification. Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs regardless of lifestyle. Non-core vaccines are selected based on exposure risk, geographic prevalence, and individual circumstances.
Core (all puppies)
- DHPP -- Distemper, Hepatitis (Adenovirus-2), Parvovirus, Parainfluenza. Also sold as DA2PP, DA2PPv, or 5-in-1.
- Rabies -- Legally required. First dose at 12-16 weeks, 1-year booster, then 1- or 3-year per state law.
Non-core (lifestyle-based)
- Bordetella -- For boarding, daycare, grooming, shows
- Leptospirosis -- Rural, water access, wildlife exposure
- Lyme disease -- Tick-endemic US regions
- Canine Influenza -- High-exposure environments
State rabies laws (top 15 US states)
Rabies vaccination law varies by state and sometimes by county. The table below summarises the most important rules. Always verify current requirements with your local animal control authority. Source: NASPHV Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control.
| State | Minimum age | First booster | Subsequent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 12 weeks | 1 year after first | 3 years | 1-year or 3-year approved vaccines accepted |
| Texas | 12 weeks | 1 year | 3 years or 1 year | 3-year vaccine duration accepted |
| Florida | 12 weeks | 1 year | 3 years | 3-year certificate valid |
| New York | 12 weeks | 1 year | 3 years | Approved 3-year vaccines accepted |
| Illinois | 12 weeks | 1 year | 3 years | NASPHV Compendium followed |
| Pennsylvania | 12 weeks | 1 year | 3 years | 1-year and 3-year vaccines accepted |
| Ohio | 12 weeks | 1 year | 3 years | County requirements may vary |
| Georgia | 12 weeks | 1 year | 3 years | State and county ordinances apply |
| Michigan | 4 months | 1 year | 3 years | 4-month minimum is specific to Michigan |
| North Carolina | 12 weeks | 1 year | 3 years | Local ordinances may require annual |
| Colorado | 3 months | 1 year | 3 years | County regulations apply |
| Washington | 12 weeks | 1 year | 3 years | County-level requirements |
| Massachusetts | 12 weeks | 1 year | 3 years | DPH regulates rabies certificates |
| Virginia | 4 months | 1 year | 3 years | Virginia Code sets 4-month minimum |
| Hawaii | n/a -- rabies-free | n/a | n/a | Hawaii is a rabies-free state. Strict import quarantine rules. |
Shelter and rescue catch-up protocol
Rescue puppies often arrive with partial or unknown vaccination histories. The AAHA 2022 guidelines provide specific catch-up guidance:
- If the puppy's history is unknown, treat as unvaccinated and start the full primary series.
- If the puppy has received 1-2 DHPP doses and is now under 16 weeks, continue the series every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks.
- If the puppy is over 16 weeks with no known history, two doses of DHPP given 3-4 weeks apart is the minimum -- one dose is considered insufficient to prime a naive immune system.
- Shelters typically vaccinate at intake regardless of age, due to the high parvo and distemper exposure risk in shelter environments. This may mean puppies have received an early dose that is not on the official record.
- For rabies, if the puppy is over 12 weeks and has no documented rabies vaccination, give one dose immediately and booster at 12 months from that first dose.
US vet clinic cost comparison
Vaccination costs vary significantly by clinic type. All figures include exam fee and standard combo shot.
| Clinic type | Per visit cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent vet clinic | $85--175 | Continuity of care, personalised advice, full medical record | Most expensive option per visit |
| Corporate chain (Banfield, VCA, PetSmart) | $75--150 + plan | Wellness plans bundle shots + exams; good data tracking | Plan required for best pricing; variable quality |
| Low-cost clinic (Petco Love, humane society events) | $25--55 | Dramatically lower cost for the shots themselves | No exam or health check included; walk-in only |
| Mobile vet | $80--160 | Convenience, less stress for puppy, home environment | Limited availability, typically no after-hours care |
| Tractor Supply / farm store + DIY (non-rabies) | $12--25 per vaccine | Lowest cost for non-rabies vaccines only | No exam, cold chain risks, not accepted for licensing, rabies MUST be vet-administered |
Frequently asked questions
What does AAHA 2022 actually say about the puppy schedule?
The AAHA 2022 Canine Vaccination Guidelines classify DHPP and rabies as core vaccines for all dogs. The guidelines recommend starting DHPP at 6 weeks of age (earlier for high-risk shelter situations), with boosters every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks. The 16-week dose is explicitly described as the most critical dose because it overcomes residual maternal antibody interference. Non-core vaccines (Leptospirosis, Lyme, Bordetella, Canine Influenza, Crotalus atrox toxoid) are recommended based on individual risk assessment. The full guidelines PDF is available free on the AAHA website.
Do I need to follow the exact week intervals?
The 3-4 week interval between doses is important for immune response. Going slightly longer (5 weeks) is generally acceptable; going shorter may mean doses are given before the immune system can fully respond to the previous dose. The 16-week final dose timing is more critical -- it must be at or after 15 weeks of age to reliably overcome maternal antibody interference. If you miss a dose, do not restart the series from scratch; simply continue where you left off and ensure the last dose is at or after 16 weeks.
Is a titer test a valid alternative to the 1-year booster?
Serological titer testing can confirm whether a dog has adequate antibodies for distemper and parvovirus. However, titer tests are not universally accepted as proof of rabies immunity by law -- most states require the vaccine, not a titer, for licensing and dog park entry. The AAHA 2022 guidelines acknowledge titers as useful for decision-making but do not position them as a routine substitute for the 1-year booster. Titer tests cost $50-$100 and must be repeated; for most dogs, boosters remain more practical.