The puppy second vaccination is the jab that completes the primary course — usually given at 10–12 weeks old, two to four weeks after the first. It matters more than it gets credit for: without it, the first injection's protection is incomplete, and the puppy still can't safely walk in public. Here's the timing, the cost, and the questions worth asking at the appointment.

Why two injections instead of one

Young puppies carry antibodies from their mother that fade at an unpredictable rate — and while present, they can interfere with a vaccine's effect. The second dose catches puppies whose maternal antibodies blocked part of the first, which is why the course is two visits and why the gap between them is specified by the vaccine licence rather than convenience.

Puppy second vaccination cost

Expect £35–£55, typically the same as or slightly below the first injection's price. The smarter question when booking is the course price: many practices bundle both jabs (sometimes with a health check or first flea treatment) at a fixed rate, and that's the number to compare between practices. Our full price guide covers the typical ranges.

What happens at the appointment

Much like the first visit: a general health check — weight, heart, teeth, body condition — then the injection itself, over in seconds. It's also the visit where your vet confirms the date your puppy can go out, so ask them to write it down before you leave.

Missed the window?

Ring the practice rather than guessing. Short delays are usually absorbed; longer ones can mean restarting the course, because the licensed interval between doses has a maximum as well as a minimum.

General information, not veterinary advice — your own vet's guidance for your puppy takes precedence.