Puppies generally need 2 to 3 sets of vaccinations until they are about 6 months of age.  Here's vaccination info I think you will find to be very helpful and informative!  Take care....

There are important reasons why you should vaccinate your dog. 1) Vaccinations are considered a critical part of your pet’s preventive health care plan. They can help keep your dog healthy by lessening the severity of or altogether preventing many diseases, some of which may cause permanent physical damage or even fatality. 2) Some of the preventable diseases that your dog may contract are zoonotic, meaning that they can be passed from animals to humans. Thus, by vaccinating your dog, you not only protect your dog and other animals that your dog may come in contact with, you also protect yourself and other humans. 3) While vaccinating your dog requires an initial investment financially, it is always less expensive to vaccinate than to later treat a disease that could have been prevented. 4) As a bare minimum, pet owners should at least vaccinate in accordance with state and local laws.

The most important step in creating a sound vaccination plan is to maintain an open dialogue with your veterinarian. Working together, you can customize a plan that takes into consideration factors specific to your dog such as the following:

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AGE - How old is your dog? Your dog will require a different vaccination plan depending on its age. Older dogs, for example, may not require some vaccinations as often or at all.

BREED - What breed is your dog? Disease risks may vary by breed. Also, some breeds are more at risk for suffering adverse reactions to vaccination.

CURRENT HEALTH CONDITION - Is your dog healthy? If your dog is sick, its immune system may not be able to handle vaccination. Have you tested and treated for parasites and worms, as they may interfere with the effectiveness of some vaccines? Is your dog pregnant?

LIFESTYLE - Is your dog indoors-only? Does it come in contact with other dogs or animals? Do you show, board, or groom it? Do you take it to parks or training classes? Is your dog a hunting or water dog? Do you travel with your dog?

LOCATION - Are there specific risks associated with the geographical location where you live? What diseases are common where you live? What state and local laws apply where you live?

PREVIOUS HISTORY - When did your dog last receive vaccinations? Did you recently adopt your dog and don’t know of its history? Has your dog previously suffered side effects to certain vaccines?

After examining your dog’s particular needs, you will need to review the benefits and risks of various vaccines. Canine vaccines are usually organized in two categories: core and non-core. Core vaccines are considered necessary for all dogs, because they protect against serious or fatal diseases, and they are generally accepted as providing good protection. Non-core vaccines, on the other hand, are optional and given based on each dog’s individual risk assessment. There is some disagreement over exactly which vaccines should be considered core or non-core, but nearly every source recognizes the following four vaccines as core: rabies, distemper, adenovirus type-2, and parvovirus. In turn, the remaining vaccines may be classified as non-core: parainfluenza, coronavirus, leptospirosis, bordetella, lyme and giardia. In the section that follows, you will find information about these core and non-core vaccines and the diseases that they protect against.

CORE VACCINES:

1. RABIES - The rabies vaccine is the one vaccine that is always required by law and that must be administered by a licensed veterinarian. Rabies is so carefully regulated, because the viral disease is zoonotic, meaning that it can be passed from animal to human, and it is always fatal. Unlike other puppy vaccinations that are given in a series of 3-4 doses, the rabies vaccine only requires one dose. You are generally advised to wait until your dog is at least 4 months of age, and while it may be convenient to administer the rabies vaccine along with the last set of puppy vaccinations around 16 weeks, some recommend that the rabies vaccine be given at a later time so as not to “overload” your dog’s immune system. In any case, make sure to check out your local laws since the rabies vaccine is commonly mandated by 6 months of age. After the initial rabies vaccination, your dog should receive a booster one year later and then generally every three years after that. Once again, however, become familiar with your local laws, as some states require rabies vaccination more frequently.

2. CANINE DISTEMPER VIRUS (CDV/CD/D) - The distemper vaccine is considered essential for all dogs, because the viral disease is always highly contagious and usually fatal. Distemper is one of the oldest diseases in dogs, and it is still present in most areas. The airborne disease attacks the lungs, intestines, and brain. It is difficult to diagnose and treat, and even if a dog survives, it often suffers permanent neurological damage. The distemper vaccine is usually given starting at 6 weeks and then every 3-4 weeks until a puppy is 16 weeks old. It is boostered after one year and then every 1-3 years after that.

3. CANINE ADENOVIRUS TYPE-2 (CAV-2/A2) - Infectious canine hepatitis (ICH/H), canine adenovirus type-1 (CAV-1/A1), and CAV-2 are all interrelated. While many people may not be familiar with CAV-1 and CAV-2, the hepatitis virus is well known for attacking the liver, kidneys, eyes, and lungs. Despite the fact that hepatitis is contagious, progresses rapidly, and may be fatal, it is now fairly uncommon due to the success of vaccination. Presently, the CAV-2 vaccine has become the standard commonly used to protect dogs against CAV-1, CAV-2, and hepatitis. The CAV-2 vaccine not only cross-protects dogs against CAV-1 and hepatitis, it also causes fewer negative reactions than both the CAV-1 and hepatitis vaccines. The CAV-2 vaccine follows the same schedule as the distemper vaccine and is often administered in combination with it.

4. CANINE PARVOVIRUS (Parvo/CPV/P) - Parvo is a highly contagious and deadly disease that attacks the intestines, stomach lining, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. In puppies it can even attack the heart, proving fatal within days of infection. Parvo is the most common viral disease of unvaccinated dogs, and yet it is easily preventable since the vaccine is very effective. Thus, the parvo vaccine is considered essential for all dogs. It follows the same schedule as the distemper vaccine and is often administered in combination with it.

NON-CORE VACCINES:

5. CANINE PARAINFLUENZA VIRUS (CpiV/CPI/P) - Parainfluenza is a respiratory infection that often acts in conjunction with bordetella to cause kennel cough. Since the disease is contagious, you may consider vaccination if your dog has contact with other dogs in places like kennels. Some people consider this vaccine to be nonessential, however it is still commonly dispensed. The parainfluenza vaccine may be injected in combination with and following the same schedule as the distemper, CAV-2, and parvo vaccines. Or alternatively, it may be administered intranasally in combination with the bordetella vaccine.

6. BORDETELLA (B) - Bordetella is a highly contagious bacterial infection and the most common cause of kennel cough. While the disease may be successfully treated with antibiotics, the vaccine is still commonly used and required if you show, board, or groom your dog. The vaccine comes in two forms, as an injectable and as a nasal spray. While the injectable may last longer, it also takes 2 weeks to take effect. The intranasal, on the other hand, only takes 72 hours, is arguably more effective, and causes less reactions. When your dog’s lifestyle requires the bordetella vaccine, you will need to booster it every 6 months. Finally, be aware that while the bordetella vaccine lessens your dog’s chances of contracting kennel cough, it does not serve as a guarantee since there are a number of contributing viruses and bacteria.

7. CANINE CORONAVIRUS (Corona/CCV/Cv/C) - Corona is a viral disease of the intestines. Some discourage use of the corona vaccine, because the disease is rare, purportedly affecting only puppies less than 6-8 weeks of age, and the vaccine is questionably effective. When recommended, the corona vaccine can be administered in combination with the distemper vaccine. The only difference in vaccination schedules is that the corona vaccine is often recommended only up to the 1st year vaccination boosters and then discontinued.

8. CANINE LEPTOSPIROSIS (L) - Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that attacks the kidneys and liver. The contagious disease is spread by animal urine and may be found in standing water. Your dog is most at risk if it is exposed to rodents, livestock, wildlife, or contaminated water. The vaccine is sometimes encouraged based on the fact that leptospirosis is zoonotic, difficult to diagnose, and has the potential to cause permanent kidney damage and occasionally fatality. More often, though, vaccination has been discontinued for the following reasons reasons: 1) the disease is rare in most areas and treatable with antibiotics if caught early; 2) the vaccine is infamous for causing side effects, especially when given in combination with other vaccines; and 3) the vaccine may not even be effective since the disease has mutated and most strains are highly resistant to vaccination. Regardless, the leptospirosis vaccine is still being used in practice, often given in combination with and following the schedule as the distemper vaccine. Stricter indications, though, strongly suggest that only 2 doses should be given to puppies and not starting before 9-10 weeks of age. The vaccine is then boostered annually when deemed necessary.

9. LYME DISEASE - Lyme disease is a bacterial disease that is transmitted by ticks. The vaccine is recommended only if your dog is exposed to ticks, and this risk is generally limited geographically to the New England and Great Lake states, the mid-Atlantic coast, and the Pacific Northwest. Even in these areas, though, many do not vaccinate against Lyme disease, because the disease is not considered serious, it is treatable with antibiotics, and side effects of vaccination may outweigh any health benefits. If opted for, the vaccine requires only 2 doses initially and then annual boosters.

10. GIARDIA - Giardia is a protozoan that can cause gastrointestinal problems, but it is rarely a danger unless your dog is exposed to unsanitary conditions such as standing water. The giardia vaccine is not usually recommended since the disease is rarely serious, it is treatable, and the vaccine questionably effective and safe.

Once you have weighed the risks of disease with the benefits of vaccination, all while taking into consideration the needs of your particular dog, you can finally piece together a custom vaccination schedule for your dog. A sample for your reference is outlined below.

SAMPLE VACCINATION SCHEDULE

There are three main stages of vaccinations: Puppy Vaccinations for dogs of age 6-16 weeks; 1st Year Vaccinations, which are boosters administered one year after puppy vaccinations; and Adult Life Vaccinations, which include all subsequent vaccinations given, starting the second year after puppy vaccinations.

FYI: As vaccinations are normally given in sets, veterinarians tend to use multivalent vaccines in order to administer multiple vaccines with just a single injection. For example, the “6-in-1” vaccine abbreviated “DA2LPPC” includes the vaccines for distemper, CAV-2, leptospirosis, parvo, parainfluenza, and corona. Keep this example in mind when trying to decipher vaccine codes used by your veterinarian.

PUPPY VACCINATIONS - Puppy Vaccinations start at 6 weeks of age, when maternal immunity begins to wane. The vaccines are boostered every 3-4 weeks until a puppy is 16 weeks old, thus resulting in a total of 3-4 sets of vaccinations.

6-8 Weeks - Puppies receive a combination of some or all of the vaccines below.

Core Vaccines: Distemper, CAV-2, Parvo

Non-Core Vaccines: Parainfluenza, Bordetella, Corona

10-12 Weeks - The vaccination boosters for 10-12 weeks are based on the vaccines received at 6-8 weeks and may include some or all of the vaccines below.

Core Vaccines: Distemper, CAV-2, Parvo

Non-Core Vaccines: Parainfluenza, Bordetella, Corona, Leptospirosis, Lyme

14-16 Weeks - The vaccination boosters for 14-16 weeks are based on the vaccines received in previous weeks. Be aware that you should generally wait 10 days before considering your puppy safe after this last set of vaccinations.

Core Vaccines: Distemper, CAV-2, Parvo (sometimes a 4th booster is recommended at 20 weeks), Rabies (1-year dose)

Non-Core Vaccines: Parainfluenza, Bordetella, Corona, Leptospirosis, Lyme

1ST YEAR VACCINATIONS - Given a year after the last set of puppy vaccinations, 1st year vaccinations may include some or all of the vaccines below.

Core Vaccines: Distemper, CAV-2, Parvo, Rabies (3-year dose)

Non-Core Vaccines: Parainfluenza, Bordetella, Corona, Leptospirosis, Lyme

ADULT LIFE VACCINATIONS - Some vaccines are required annually throughout a dog’s life, however many researchers now believe that other vaccines can last up to 3 or more years. Consult with your veterinarian to determine how often your adult dog should receive various vaccines. And, even if your dog does not require annual vaccination, you should still take your dog to get annual health exams.

Core Vaccines: Distemper (typically every 1 to 3 years), CAV-2 (typically every 1 to 3 years), Parvo (typically every 1 to 3 years), Rabies (typically every 3 years)

Non-Core Vaccines: Parainfluenza (typically every 1 to 3 years), Bordetella (required every 6 months to 1 year, if needed), Corona (often deemed unnecessary after 1st year booster), Leptospirosis (required annually, if needed), Lyme (required annually, if needed)

*IMPORTANT NOTE: After your dog receives any vaccine, make sure to carefully monitor your dog for adverse reactions such as itching, skin inflammation, vomiting, reduced appetite, and fatigue. Call your veterinarian if these symptoms do not go away after a day or two, or if your dog experiences more serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, whole body itching, swelling of the face and legs, and repeated vomiting or diarrhea. While most side effects are mild and will go away on their own, occasionally animals suffer serious and occasionally fatal effects. By alerting your veterinarian of the reactions, you may be able to alleviate some of the side effects and possibly alter future vaccination plans for your dog.

Finally, if you wish to expand your knowledge about vaccinations, some alternative ideas worth exploring include the following:

Titers - A titer is a blood test that is meant to measure the level your dog’s immunity by checking the level of antibodies your dog has for fighting disease. Some use the test results to determine whether revaccination is necessary.

Monovalent vaccines - Some people propose that monovalent vaccines, or single component vaccines, are safer than the commonly used multivalent vaccines. When monovalent vaccines are used, vaccinations are then staggered or alternated.

Nosodes - Nosodes are homeopathic remedies that some use in place of traditional vaccinations.