How much are puppy vaccinations in 2026?
Key takeaways
Initial puppy vaccinations typically cost about £111 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 2026?
The average cost of vaccinating a puppy in 2026 is £111.73 according to ManyPets.
Initial vaccination costs vary significantly depending on where you live and the specific vet clinic you choose. Vets in cities or the South East of England often charge more.
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 tested amount needed for the vaccine to work, regardless of size or breed.
How much is the kennel cough vaccine for dogs?
Kennel cough as a standalone charge was an average of £59.67, according to ManyPets.
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 vets provided a discount for adding kennel cough to the puppy vaccination course, the average total cost was £157.10. This works out to about £14.30 cheaper that buying the vaccination course and kennel cough vaccination separately.
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. Protection usually develops two to four weeks after the second injections.
Ask your vet when it is safe for your puppy to mix with other dogs.
A puppy will usually need a ‘booster’ vaccination 12 months after the second vaccination, while later timings vary by vaccine and should be confirmed with a vet.
If you are rehoming a puppy via a charity, it will usually already be vaccinated and the cost covered by the rehoming 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 problems affecting the brain and nervous system 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 cause lethargy and sickness and can lead to serious organ damage. It can be fatal for some dogs.
Canine parvovirus
Particularly dangerous for young puppies, this contagious virus can cause severe stomach and bowel 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 vaccine that is 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, your puppy will need booster vaccinations, but how often they are given depends on the vaccine. Your vet can confirm the right schedule.
Leptospirosis is commonly annual while other vaccines may be given every one to three years.
Many Pets found the average cost of an annual booster for a dog is £73.43, excluding the kennel cough vaccine. Including kennel cough, the average cost rises to £115.15.
It is important to keep up with any booster vaccines to ensure your adult dog is still protected. If your dog’s vaccinations are not kept up to date, he or she will be at risk of catching infectious diseases.
If a vaccination is late, your puppy may need an additional dose or a new course. Ask your vet what is needed and what it will cost.
Why should I vaccinate my puppy in 2026?
There are many reasons to vaccinate your puppy, including:
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.
Reduces the risk of 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
Many training, boarding and pet-care services require proof of vaccination, so check before booking. These include:
Puppy training classes
Doggy daycare
Boarding kennels
Groomers
Pet-sitting services
Can reduce the risk of larger vets’ bills
Treating serious infectious diseases can often costs hundreds or thousands of pounds.
Vaccination generally costs much less and can reduce the risk of illness and unexpected treatment bills.
Cheaper pet insurance premiums
Some insurers may offer lower premiums for vaccinated dogs, but this varies by provider and policy. This is because insurance providers view vaccinated dogs as being less of a risk.
In some cases, vaccination will affect exclusions, but not the cost of the policy.
What affects the cost of puppy vaccinations?
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 running costs 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 when you buy puppy insurance. This is because insurers view vaccinated pets as being at a lower risk of needing medical treatment.
Vaccinations – or lack of – may also influence the exclusions on your pet insurance policy.
Your dog insurance policy may require vaccinations to be kept up to date. If they are not, the insurer may reject claims for illnesses that vaccination could have prevented. Check your policy terms.
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 may cost less 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 putting your pet to sleep (euthanasia) if required.
Whether pet insurance is worth it depends on the cover you need, the premium and whether you could afford an unexpected vet bill yourself. Insurance is one possible way to manage unexpected veterinary costs.
When looking for the best insurance deals for your pet, consider using comparison services like MoneySupermarket. We compare policies and prices from a range of UK providers so you can choose an option that suits your needs, including if your pet has pre-existing health conditions.
Our customers typically pay £9.45
^ a month to insure a puppy, and £12.49^ a month to insure a dog.
We also offer cat insurance, multi-pet insurance and insurance for pets with pre-existing conditions.
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