How much do puppy vaccinations cost?

How much do puppy and dog vaccinations cost in Australia?

The cost to vaccinate your puppy or dog will differ depending on the vet you attend and their fees. We got costs from a popular Sydney-based vet and a regional vet to see what the range could look like.

Puppies need 3 different vaccines in the first few months of their life. The below costs should be used as a guide only as your own vet can charge above or below this.

Are vaccinations covered by pet insurance?

Vaccinations are not covered by a regular pet insurance policy, unless it includes routine care or you've added routine care as an optional extra. A lot of providers have routine care as an optional extra with their pet insurance policies and it'll typically add $50-$100 to your premium annually. Compare policies with routine care.

What vaccines does your dog need?

Puppies need 3 vaccines in the first few months of their life. Dogs need ongoing standard vaccines to keep them safe.

Vaccines for your puppy:

• C3: This protects your puppy against distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus. They need to get this at 6-8 weeks old.
• C5: This protects your puppy against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and bordetella. They need to get this at 10-12 weeks old.
• C5 booster: They need to get this at 14-16 weeks.

Ongoing vaccines for your dog:

• Canine cough vaccine: annually
• C3 vaccine: every 3 years
• An annual C3 booster (sometimes, not always - your vet will advise you)

Core vaccines and non-core vaccines

The Australian Veterinary Association has identified two categories of vaccines dogs will typically need. These are core vaccines and non-core vaccines.

Core vaccines protect your dog against 3 life-threatening diseases. Your vet will give these vaccines in a single combination called the C3 vaccination and your pup will need 2 or 3 rounds of the C3 and/or C5 between 6 and 16 weeks of age. These are necessary for all dogs no matter how they are raised or where they live.

Non-core vaccines aren't necessary for all dogs all the time. However, they are necessary for certain dogs whose location, environment and lifestyle make them prone to certain diseases such as Leptospira interrogans and Parainfluenza virus.

FAQs

• What is the difference between C3, C4, C5, C6 and C7 vaccines?

  The C3 is a single medication that contains all three core vaccines. If your vet decides to give your dog or puppy any of the non-core vaccines, they'll do it at the same time as the C3. At that point the treatment becomes known as a C4, C5, C6 or C7.
  Here's how it breaks down:

  • C3: A single medication containing all three core vaccines.
  • C4: The C3 plus a second medication containing the PI vaccine.
  • C5: The C3 plus a second medication that combines both the PI and Bb vaccines (the two "kennel cough" illnesses).
  • C6: Everything you get with the C5 plus coronavirus jab.
  • C7: Everything you get with the C6 plus protection against leptospirosis.

• When does a puppy get their first vaccination?

  Your puppy should have its first vaccination between six and eight weeks of age. In fact, you usually won't pick your pup up from the breeder until around this time, so it is likely that the breeder will have already taken the pup for their first round of vaccines. If so, they'll have records so just take these records to your vet who will help you finish out the final two rounds according to schedule.

• Can I take my puppy out before it’s fully vaccinated?

  There are risks involved with taking your dog out before it's fully vaccinated. The first round of vaccines your dog gets during the first 6-16 weeks of it's like protect it against diseases that can be found in soil or via other dogs. So if you take your dog out before these vaccinations, you could risk exposing them to these diseases.

Written by

Peta Taylor

Publisher of Insurance

Peta Taylor is a publisher at Finder, working across all of insurance. She's been analysing product disclosure statements and publishing articles for over 2 years. Peta is passionate about demystifying complex insurance products to help users make well educated decisions with confidence. Peta is part of Finder's insurance awards team and works alongside editorial and insights experts to bring users the best insurance products every year. See full bio

Co-written by

Gary Ross Hunter

Editor, Insurance

Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

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