Puppy Vaccination Schedule in India: What Vaccines and When
Puppies in India need core vaccines against distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, leptospirosis and rabies, starting at 6 to 8 weeks of age with boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks old. Your vet will set the exact schedule based on your puppy's age, health and local disease risk. Anti-rabies vaccination is legally required in India.
- Puppy is lethargic, not eating or drinking for more than a few hours
- Severe vomiting or diarrhoea, especially bloody or very watery
- Difficulty breathing or blue gums
- Seizures or collapse
- High fever or body feels very hot to touch
- Swelling of the face or hives after a vaccine dose
- Any serious illness before vaccination is due
Which vaccines does a puppy need in India?
Puppies need protection against several serious diseases that spread easily, especially in India's warm climate and where dogs meet on walks or near homes. The core vaccines recommended by vets in India are usually given as a combination shot that covers distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus and leptospirosis. These four diseases can be fatal in young puppies.
Rabies vaccination is also essential and is required by law in India. Rabies is present across the country, spread through bites from infected dogs and wildlife, and the disease is always fatal once symptoms appear. Protecting your puppy protects your family too.
Some puppies may also need vaccines against kennel cough, coronavirus or other diseases depending on where you live, whether your puppy will be boarded, and local disease outbreaks. Your vet will recommend what suits your puppy's situation best.
When should my puppy get vaccinated?
Vaccination usually starts when your puppy is 6 to 8 weeks old. Puppies receive some immunity from their mother's milk, but that protection fades over the first few weeks of life. Vaccines are timed to fill that gap.
A typical schedule in India includes three to four doses of the combination vaccine, given every 3 to 4 weeks, with the final dose at or after 16 weeks of age. Rabies vaccine is often given at 12 to 16 weeks, sometimes earlier depending on local rules and risk.
Your vet will set the exact dates based on when your puppy was born, when it was weaned, and which vaccines it may already have received from a breeder or shelter. Stick to the schedule your vet gives you. Missing a dose or delaying it can leave your puppy unprotected during a vulnerable time.
Still unsure what's going on?If you are unsure about your puppy's vaccine schedule or worried about any symptoms after a vaccine, describe what you are seeing in Joey AI. The app will help you understand the next steps and whether a vet visit is needed now.
Ask Joey freeWhat happens at a vaccination appointment?
Before giving any vaccine, the vet checks that your puppy is healthy. Vaccines work best when the immune system is strong, so if your puppy has a fever, diarrhoea or any illness, the vet may delay the shot until it recovers.
The vaccine is usually a quick injection under the skin, often on the back between the shoulder blades. Most puppies tolerate it well. The vet will record the vaccine batch, date and when the next dose is due. Keep that record safe, as you will need it for boosters, boarding kennels, travel and sometimes housing societies.
After the shot, wait at the clinic for 10 to 15 minutes in case your puppy has an allergic reaction, though this is rare. Mild tiredness or a small lump at the injection site for a day or two is normal. Serious reactions need immediate vet attention.
Can my puppy go outside before finishing all vaccines?
Puppies are not fully protected until about one to two weeks after the final vaccine dose. However, keeping a puppy completely isolated for four months can harm its socialisation and behaviour development.
You can carry your puppy outside, let it meet vaccinated healthy dogs you know, and allow short supervised outings in clean areas away from unknown dogs' urine and faeces. Avoid busy dog parks, roadsides where many street dogs roam, and puddles or standing water during the monsoon, as parvovirus and leptospirosis spread through contaminated ground and water.
Ask your vet for advice suited to your neighbourhood's disease risk. In some areas the danger from disease is higher, while in others careful controlled exposure is safe and important for a well-adjusted dog.
Do adult dogs need booster shots?
Yes. After the puppy series, dogs need booster vaccines to maintain immunity. The first booster is usually given one year after the final puppy dose. After that, some vaccines are boosted every year and others every three years, depending on the vaccine type and local disease risk.
Rabies boosters are required by law in India, typically every year or every three years depending on the vaccine used and your local municipal rules. Leptospirosis immunity fades faster, so it is often boosted annually, especially during the monsoon when the bacteria spread more easily through floodwater and soil.
Your vet will create a lifelong schedule for your dog. Keep vaccination records up to date, as they are checked by kennels, groomers, trainers and sometimes when you move home or travel with your dog.
Frequently asked questions
How much do puppy vaccines cost in India?
Vaccine costs vary widely depending on the clinic, city and vaccine brand. A single dose of the combination vaccine typically costs between 500 and 1,500 rupees, and rabies vaccine costs around 200 to 800 rupees. The full puppy series with three to four visits usually totals 2,500 to 6,000 rupees. Municipal and charity clinics often offer rabies vaccines free or at very low cost.
Can I delay my puppy's vaccines by a week or two?
A delay of a few days to a week is usually not a problem, but try to keep to the schedule your vet set. Delaying vaccines too long leaves your puppy unprotected when diseases like parvovirus spread easily. If you miss an appointment, call your vet to reschedule as soon as possible rather than waiting for the next planned date.
Is the rabies vaccine safe for puppies?
Yes, rabies vaccine is very safe for puppies from about 12 weeks of age, and it is required by law in India. Serious side effects are extremely rare. Mild tiredness or slight fever for a day after the shot can happen but usually passes quickly. The protection it gives far outweighs any small risk, especially in India where rabies is common.
What if I adopted a street puppy and do not know its age or vaccine history?
Your vet will estimate your puppy's age by examining its teeth, size and development, then start or restart the vaccine series from that point. If there is any doubt about past vaccines, it is safer to begin the full course again. Street puppies often need deworming and a health check as well, so a thorough first visit is important.
Can my puppy get sick from the vaccine itself?
Vaccines use killed or weakened viruses and do not cause the disease they protect against. Mild side effects like a small lump at the injection site, tiredness or a low appetite for a day are normal and mean the immune system is responding. If your puppy has severe vomiting, trouble breathing, facial swelling or collapse after a vaccine, contact your vet immediately.
Do Indie or Indian Pariah puppies need the same vaccines?
Yes, all puppies need the same core vaccines regardless of breed. Indian Pariah dogs are hardy and adapt well to local conditions, but they are just as vulnerable to distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and rabies as any other breed. Follow the same vaccination schedule your vet recommends for any puppy.
This guide is general information to help you decide what to do next. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace an examination by a veterinarian. If your dog seems very unwell, contact a vet or an emergency animal hospital straight away.
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