How much are puppy vaccinations in 2025?
Key takeaways
Initial puppy vaccinations typically cost about £100, with doses given a few weeks apart
Pet insurance doesn’t cover puppy vaccinations, but it can help with other vet bills
Being up to date with all your dog's vaccinations and boosters can help reduce the price of your dog insurance premiums
If your puppy is unvaccinated and gets an illness that could have been prevented with a vaccine, your insurance might not cover treatment
How much do puppy vaccinations cost in 2025?
The average cost of vaccinating a puppy in 2025 is £102.31 according to ManyPets.
Initial vaccination costs vary significantly depending on your geographical location and the specific vet clinic you choose. Vets in cities or the South-East of England often charge more.
ManyPets found the cheapest set of vaccinations for puppies cost £30 and the most expensive £156.
Unlike medication doses, which are often based on weight, a vaccine dose is not based on the size of the dog, or the breed. The amount of vaccine given is based on the minimum immunising or infectious dose.
How much is the kennel cough vaccine for dogs?
Kennel cough as a standalone charge was an average of £54, according to ManyPets. When vets provided a discount for adding kennel cough to the puppy course, the average total cost was £138.04.
Vets don’t usually include the kennel cough vaccine in standard vaccination packages, but you can add it. Some offer a reduced rate if it’s given at the same time as another vaccination.
When does my puppy need vaccinations?
Puppies should receive their first vaccinations between six and 10 weeks old, with a second dose following two to four weeks later. They will be fully protected two to four weeks after their second injections.
A puppy will need a ‘booster’ vaccination 12 months after the second vaccination, and a yearly booster every year thereafter.
If you are re-homing your puppy via a charity, it will usually already be vaccinated and the cost covered by the re-homing fee you pay. But you’ll need to pay for booster vaccinations at a local vet later on.
Your vet can help you work out a puppy vaccination schedule.
Which core puppy vaccinations does my puppy need?
Your vet can advise you about which vaccinations your puppy needs. The “core” vaccines a puppy should get are:
Canine distemper: This viral disease can be life-threatening and may cause long-term neurological issues even if the puppy recovers. Symptoms include fever, coughing, and discharge from the eyes and mouth.
Infectious canine hepatitis: This virus attacks the liver, kidneys, eyes and blood vessels. It’s spread in bodily fluids and can survive in the environment for up to a year. After an initial primary course, an infectious hepatitis booster is usually necessary every three years.
Leptospirosis: Contracted through contaminated water or urine, this bacterial infection can lead to serious organ damage. It is passed on in infected urine and contaminated water and can cause lethargy and sickness. It can be fatal for some dogs.
Canine parvovirus: Particularly dangerous for young puppies, this contagious virus can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms. It affects the intestine, with symptoms including sickness, diarrhoea, and dehydration.
Which non-core puppy vaccinations might my puppy need?
Other vaccines that aren’t routinely offered but should be considered include:
Rabies: If you plan on travelling with your pet under the Pet Travel Scheme, it will need a rabies vaccination. Rabies is not present on mainland UK so you won’t need a rabies jab if your pet won’t travel abroad. Prices for a rabies vaccination typically range from £50 to £90.
Canine parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica: These are two of the most common causes of Kennel Cough which is highly contagious and can be quite uncomfortable for your puppy. Kennel cough is airborne, highly infectious, and vaccination is usually required before your dog can stay in kennels.
Lyme disease: A new vaccine, most appropriate for dogs who spend a lot of time in high-tick areas (e.g. the moors of western England and Wales).
Will my puppy need booster vaccinations?
Yes, after the initial core vaccinations, your puppy will require annual vaccinations to boost immunity.
It is important to keep up with any booster vaccines to ensure your adult dog is still protected. If you stop vaccinating your dog, he or she will be at risk of catching infectious diseases. If you miss your puppy’s vaccination appointment, you’ll need to pay for a course of primary vaccines to catch them back up again.
Why should I vaccinate my puppy in 2025?
Protection against serious, often fatal diseases
Vaccines protect puppies from dangerous infections such as:
Parvovirus – highly contagious and often fatal
Distemper – affects the nervous system and can be deadly
Leptospirosis – can cause severe organ damage and can spread to humans
Hepatitis (Adenovirus) – causes liver failure and can be fatal
Builds immunity when they are most vulnerable
Puppies have immature immune systems. Early vaccination boosts their defences during the stage when they are most prone to infection.
Prevents them from spreading illness to other dogs and humans
Some diseases can spread easily in parks, training classes, boarding kennels, and even on contaminated surfaces. Vaccinating your puppy protects other dogs too.
Diseases like leptospirosis are zoonotic, meaning they can infect humans. Vaccination reduces this risk.
Required for many activities
Vaccination keeps your puppy eligible for safe socialisation. Most places will not accept unvaccinated dogs. These include:
Puppy training classes
Doggy daycare
Boarding kennels
Groomers
Pet-sitting services
Saves money
Treating serious infectious diseases is extremely expensive—often hundreds or thousands of pounds. Vaccination costs a fraction of that and prevents both suffering and financial stress.
Cheaper pet insurance premiums
Another benefit of getting your puppy vaccinated is cheaper pet insurance premiums. This is because insurance providers view vaccinated dogs as being less of a risk.
What affects the cost of puppy vaccinations?
Several factors can influence the cost of dog vaccinations. Here are the main things that typically affect the price:
Number of vaccines: Puppies need a course of vaccinations, while adult dogs require yearly boosters. If you add non-core vaccines to the core vaccines, it will cost more in total.
Veterinary clinic pricing: Prices vary between practices depending on overheads and staff costs. Some charities offer support for dog owners on low incomes
Clinic location: Vets in London and the south east tend to charge more
Health plan membership: Plans may include discounted vaccinations
Whether a health check is included: Some vets include a full physical examination of your dog at the time of vaccinations.
Does pet insurance cover vaccinations?
No, vaccinations are not covered by pet insurance.
However, having all your pup’s vaccinations up to date can make you eligible for cheaper premiums. This is because insurers view vaccinated pets as at a lower risk of needing medical treatment.
You may also need to keep up with your pet’s vaccinations and boosters as part of your dog insurance policy in order for your insurance to remain valid.
With some insurers, if you don’t get your puppy vaccinated and they get a disease that could have been prevented with a vaccine, the insurer may refuse to cover treatment costs.
Why does my puppy need a health check before getting vaccinated?
Before each round of vaccinations, your vet will usually want to carry out a health check on your dog to ensure they are healthy enough to receive the vaccines. These check-ups are also an opportunity to discuss your puppy's overall health, diet, and any concerns you may have.
Many UK vets offer health plans (e.g., Pet Health Club, Healthy Pet Club) which work out cheaper over a year than paying for each vet visit separately.
Is it worth getting pet insurance for my puppy if it doesn't cover vaccinations?
Pet insurance is designed to help you cover the cost of medical treatment if your pet becomes ill or has an accident. Some policies also cover the cost of finding a lost pet, alternative therapies, third-party liability cover, and euthanasia if required.
Pet insurance is usually worth buying as vet costs can be very expensive. Without cover some pet owners might struggle to afford medical treatment for their pet.
When looking for the best insurance deals for your pet, consider using comparison services like MoneySupermarket. We compare deals from various UK providers to find the best pet insurance deal tailored to your individual needs and circumstances.
Our customers typically pay £9.95
We also offer cat insurance, multi-pet insurance and insurance for pets with pre-existing conditions.
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Emma has written about personal finance for almost 20 years, with a career spanning several recessions and their inevitable consequences. Emma’s main focus is helping people learn to manage their...
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Beth Leslie
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Beth is an experienced writer and editor who specialises in financial and economic content. She is currently the Senior Insurance Content Editor for MoneySuperMarket. Beth is passionate about making...
