CORE Canine Vaccines and
Administration Recommendations

Complete Text:   www.aahanet.org/resources/guidelines_canine.aspx

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CORE Canine Vaccines

(based on the 2006 Report of the AAHA Canine Vaccine Task Force)
CORE
Vaccines		 Primary Puppy
Series
(≤ 16 weeks)		 Primary Adult
Series
(> 16 weeks)		 Booster
Interval
Combination DA2P:

Distemper
Recombinant,
or
Modified-Live

Adenovirus-2
Modified-Live

Parvovirus
Modified-Live

(SQ injection)

Administer 1 dose at
6-8 weeks of age,
then,

Every 3 to 4 weeks until
15-16 weeks of age. 

Administer 2 doses
3 to 4 weeks apart.

Administer 1 dose one year following completion of the initial series; 
then…

Every 3 years thereafter. 
Rabies
Killed - 1 Year
Killed - 3 Year


(SQ injection)		 Administer 1 dose at
12 to 16 weeks
of age.		 Administer 1 dose

Administer 1 dose
one year following administration of the first dose,
then…

Every 3 years thereafter.
NOTE:  Requirements for canine rabies vaccination are established by State and/or
local statutes and may differ from the recommendations listed above.

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NON-CORE Canine Vaccines

(based on the 2006 Report of the AAHA Canine Vaccine Task Force)
NON-CORE
(optional) Vaccines		 Primary Puppy
Series
(≤ 16 weeks)		 Primary Adult
Series
(> 16 weeks)		 Booster
Interval
Bordetella bronchiseptica   + Parainfluenza
Avirulent-Live



(intranasal administration ONLY) 		A single dose is recommended by the manufacturers and may be given as early as 3-4 weeks of age.

2 doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart are recommended

May be given as early as 3 to 4 weeks of age.		 A single dose. Annually;  animals in a high risk/exposure environment may benefit from a booster if longer than 6 months since the previous dose.
Bordetella bronchiseptica Antigen Extract

(SQ administration)		 Administer 2 doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart beginning as early as 8 weeks of age. Administer 2 doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart. Annually;  animals in a high risk/exposure environment may benefit from a booster if longer than 6 months since the previous dose. 
Leptospirosis (serovars:  canicola, icterohemmorhagiae, pomona, grippotyphosa)  Various 2-way and 4-way combinations are available.
Killed bacterin

(SQ administration)

Administer 2 doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart beginning as early as 12 weeks of age.

(Vaccination of dogs less than 12 weeks of age is generally not recommended)		 Administer 2 doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart Annual booster is recommended for dogs with a defined risk of exposure. Vaccination is not recommended for all dogs.  Exposure risk should be considered prior to recommending. 
Lyme borreliosis
Recombinant, or
Killed bacterin

(SQ administration)		 Administer 2 doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart beginning as early as 12 weeks of age. Administer 2 doses,
2 to 4 weeks apart.		 Annual booster is recommended for
dogs with a defined
risk of exposure.  Vaccination is not recommended for all dogs.
Crotalus atrox
(Western Diamondback Rattlesnake vaccine)
Toxoid

(SQ administration)		 Recommendations vary depending on size of the dog and risk of exposure. 

See Manufacturer’s Recommendations.		 Recommendations vary depending on size of the dog and risk of exposure.

See Manufacturer’s Recommendations.

Not Stipulated.
 

Duration of immunity studies have not been conducted.
Porpyhromonas spp.
(aids in the prevention
of periodontitis)

Killed bacterin

(SQ administration)

NOTE: Injection site and systemic reactions are commonly reported		 Administer 2 doses, 3 weeks apart beginning as early as 7 weeks of age

(Manufacturer Recommendation)		 Administer 2 doses,
3 weeks apart.

Not Stipulated.
 

Duration of immunity studies have not been conducted.
NOTE:  Although vaccines licensed by the USDA are currently available in the
United States, routine vaccination of dogs against canine coronavirus and
Giardia lamblia is NOT recommended.

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