This content has been prepared in compliance with relevant laws including the Medical Law.
If you're raising a puppy for the first time in Busan, start vaccinations from 6-8 weeks of age
Puppy vaccination should begin at 6-8 weeks of age. After that, vaccinations are administered in stages over a total of 4-6 shots at 2-4 week intervals until 16 weeks of age, which is the basic principle.
There is a reason for administering multiple shots over time. Puppies are born with maternal antibodies passed down from their mother, and these antibodies can temporarily prevent immune formation from external vaccines. The problem is that it is difficult to accurately predict when these antibodies disappear. Therefore, according to relevant data, the method of repeated vaccination at regular intervals to cover the period of antibody loss has become a standard protocol. The Korean Veterinary Medical Association guidelines also recommend forming sufficient immunity through 4-5 combined vaccine vaccinations from 6-8 weeks of age in this context.
However, the vaccination schedule may vary depending on the puppy's health status, previous vaccination history, and living environment. Especially for puppies in their early adoption period, previous vaccination history is often unclear, so it is important to first confirm the schedule suitable for your puppy through individual consultation with a veterinarian.
Puppy vaccination types and step-by-step schedule, organized at a glance
Vaccination types and timing may seem complicated at first, but it becomes much easier when you understand the overall flow. Let me organize it step by step for you below.
📋 Puppy vaccination step-by-step checklist
✓ Step 1 — Combined vaccine 1st dose (6-8 weeks of age)
- DHPPL vaccination starts
- DHPPL is a core vaccine that prevents 5 highly fatal diseases at once: distemper, viral hepatitis (adenovirus), parvovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis.
✓ Step 2 — Combined vaccine 2nd-5th doses (8-16 weeks of age, at 2-4 week intervals)
- Sequential DHPPL 2nd-5th dose vaccination
- Coronavirus enteritis vaccine can be administered concurrently
- Kennel cough (infectious tracheitis) vaccination is often administered together during this period.
✓ Step 3 — Rabies vaccination (around 3-4 months of age)
- Rabies vaccination is a legal mandatory vaccination item under the Livestock Infectious Disease Prevention Act. It must never be missed.
✓ Step 4 — Influenza and other optional vaccines (as recommended by veterinarian)
- Decision on additional vaccination depends on living environment and frequency of outdoor activities
✓ Monthly ongoing — Heartworm prevention
- The American Heartworm Society recommends monthly prevention year-round, and related veterinary materials emphasize that "prevention all 12 months is the principle."
| Vaccination item | Start time | Frequency/Interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHPPL (combined vaccine) | 6-8 weeks of age | 4-5 doses, 2-4 week intervals | Essential core vaccination |
| Coronavirus enteritis | 6-8 weeks of age | 2 doses | Optional or concurrent |
| Kennel cough | 6-8 weeks of age | 2 doses | Adjustable depending on environment |
| Rabies | 3-4 months of age | 1 dose then annually | Legal requirement |
| Novel influenza etc. | Veterinarian recommendation | Individual adjustment | Varies by living environment |
| Heartworm prevention | After 8 weeks of age | Monthly | Year-round continuation recommended |
The number of vaccinations and order may vary somewhat by clinic, and adjustments may be necessary depending on individual puppy conditions. The table is based on general standards, so it is best to determine the actual schedule together with your veterinarian.
Why we recommend vaccination consultation at 24H UN animal medical center
Vaccination is not simply receiving a single injection. Before vaccination, it is necessary to first check the puppy's body temperature, auscultation, stool condition, appetite, parasitic infection status, and overall physical condition to ensure proper immune formation. It is a veterinary principle that vaccination when conditions are not good may not result in sufficient immune response.
24H UN animal medical center, located in Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan, has been operating 365 days, 24 hours a day without breaks since its opening in 2016, and designs a customized vaccination schedule for your pet through collaborative consultations with specialized medical staff in each field, from vaccination to subsequent health management.
In particular, through coordination with the Internal Medicine and Health Screening Center, at the initial visit, we check the overall physical condition before determining whether vaccination is possible, and operate an one-stop care system that continuously monitors the condition even after vaccination. The younger the puppy starting vaccination, the more significant impact thorough health checks before starting can have on the effectiveness of future vaccinations.
| General animal clinic care flow | 24H UN animal medical center care flow |
|---|---|
| Vaccination → Discharge | Physical examination → Determine vaccination eligibility → Vaccination |
| Adverse reaction occurs → Return visit | Immediately handle adverse reactions on the day of vaccination |
| Separate health check appointment required | Immediate coordination with health screening center possible |
| Night emergency requires separate clinic | 24-hour emergency response system operating |
Check if your puppy needs vaccination now
Check the items below and examine your puppy's current situation first.
✓ Situations where vaccination is urgently needed
- No vaccination record or unclear previous vaccination history after adoption
- More than 6 weeks of age but has not yet received a single vaccination
- Several months have passed since the previous vaccination without completing additional doses
✓ Situations where veterinarian verification is needed before vaccination
- Poor condition such as vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite
- Suspected parasitic infection or poor nutritional status — In conditions where immune function is compromised like this, it is recommended to proceed with deworming programs first before vaccination.
- History of adverse reactions such as vomiting, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing after previous vaccination
✓ Important precautions to follow after vaccination
- Avoid bathing and strenuous outdoor activity on the day of vaccination
- For at least 2-3 days after vaccination, refrain from walks and allow the puppy to rest indoors. Immune function may be temporarily compromised after vaccination, increasing the risk of exposure to external viruses.
- According to Royal Canin KR materials, it is recommended to begin full outdoor walks about 2 weeks after completing all vaccinations.
- If anaphylactic reaction (vomiting, facial swelling, difficulty breathing, collapse) occurs after vaccination, contact an animal hospital immediately and visit.
💡 These people can also visit comfortably Those looking for an animal clinic in Nam-gu, Busan, those trying to schedule puppy vaccinations in Suyeong-gu, those researching dog vaccinations at an animal clinic in Haeundae-gu — all can visit 24H UN animal medical center. Many pet parents from nearby areas such as Yangsan, Gimhae, and Changwon also visit us.
Plan your puppy's vaccination schedule in Busan together with us
Pet parents new to puppy vaccination and feeling overwhelmed, please feel free to contact 24H UN animal medical center. We will carefully examine your puppy's health status and create a customized vaccination schedule together.
It is natural to feel first vaccination unfamiliar and difficult. Which vaccines should be given and how many doses, whether vaccination is possible given your puppy's current condition — we will check every detail together.
Pet parents from all areas of Busan including Nam-gu, Suyeong-gu, Haeundae-gu, Dong-gu, Yeonje-gu, and Busanjin-gu, as well as nearby areas such as Yangsan, Gimhae, Changwon, and Ulsan can visit. We operate 365 days, 24 hours a day, so please contact us even when your schedule doesn't work out. We will be there every step of the way to help your puppy grow healthy and strong.
Puppy vaccinations, frequently asked questions from beginner pet parents
Q1. I got a puppy but don't have a vaccination record. Do I need to start over from the beginning?
When vaccination history is unclear, it is common for a veterinarian to examine the puppy's age and health status, then create a new vaccination plan. Even if previous vaccinations cannot be recognized, restarting from the beginning is the safest method for immune formation. We will check your puppy's current condition first at your visit.
Q2. How many doses of vaccination does my puppy need? It seems different hospitals give different numbers of doses.
Combined vaccine (DHPPL) is generally based on 4-5 doses, but the number may be adjusted depending on the timing of the first vaccination and the puppy's immune status. It is natural that clinics differ in their protocols, and what is important is completing the vaccination at appropriate intervals by 16 weeks of age. Check the appropriate number of doses for your puppy with your veterinarian.
Q3. Can I take a walk on the same day as vaccination?
It is best to avoid bathing and strenuous walks on the day of vaccination. For 2-3 days after vaccination, allow your puppy to rest indoors and carefully monitor the vaccination site and overall condition. If adverse reactions such as vomiting, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing occur, contact your animal hospital immediately.
Q4. Is vaccination absolutely necessary for puppies that only live indoors?
Yes, vaccination is essential even for puppies living only indoors. External viruses can be introduced into the home through a pet parent's shoes or clothes, and infection risk exists during veterinary clinic visits or brief outings. Vaccination is an important means of blocking infection pathways even when there is no direct contact.
⚠️ This content complies with Article 32 of the Veterinarians Act, and results may vary depending on circumstances.