A primary puppy vaccination course in the UK typically costs between £110 and £120, covering two rounds of injections given two to four weeks apart. Annual booster vaccinations then cost £50 to £80 per year. Prices vary depending on your location, whether your vet is part of a corporate chain, and which vaccines are included. According to the CMA’s March 2026 vet market report, there is significant price variation between practices, even within the same area.
This guide breaks down the full cost of puppy vaccinations, explains the vaccination schedule, and shows you how to compare prices so you pay a fair price without compromising your puppy’s health.
How much do puppy vaccinations cost in the UK?
Here is a summary of typical puppy vaccination costs across the UK as of 2026.
| Vaccination | Average Cost | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Primary course (2 injections) | £115 | £80 — £150 |
| Annual booster | £65 | £50 — £80 |
| Kennel cough (Bordetella) | £40 | £25 — £55 |
| Rabies (for pet travel) | £65 | £50 — £90 |
| Titre testing (antibody check) | £80 | £50 — £120 |
These prices typically include the consultation fee and the vaccine itself. Some practices charge the consultation separately, so always ask what is included when you book.
What is the puppy vaccination schedule?
Puppies need their vaccinations at specific ages to build proper immunity. Here is the standard UK schedule.
| Age | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks | First vaccination (primary course, jab 1) |
| 10—12 weeks | Second vaccination (primary course, jab 2) |
| 12—14 weeks | Full protection begins (1—2 weeks after second jab) |
| 15 months | First annual booster |
| Every 12 months after that | Annual booster vaccination |
The first jab is usually given at eight weeks old. Your puppy then returns two to four weeks later for the second jab. Most vets in the UK use combination vaccines that protect against several diseases in a single injection.
The core diseases covered by the standard primary course are:
- Canine distemper — a serious viral illness that can be fatal
- Canine parvovirus — highly contagious and often deadly in puppies
- Canine hepatitis (adenovirus) — attacks the liver, kidneys, and blood vessels
- Leptospirosis — a bacterial infection that can also spread to humans
Some vets include parainfluenza in the standard combination vaccine. Kennel cough (Bordetella) is usually given separately as a nasal spray or oral dose.
What is included in the vaccination cost?
When a vet quotes a price for puppy vaccinations, it normally includes three things.
- The consultation fee. A vet will examine your puppy before vaccinating. This health check covers weight, heart, lungs, eyes, ears, and general condition.
- The vaccine itself. The cost of the drug being administered.
- A basic health check. Many vets use the vaccination appointment as a full puppy check-up, offering advice on worming, flea treatment, diet, and microchipping.
Some practices charge the consultation and vaccine separately. According to the RCVS, there is no standard format for how vets quote prices, which makes it harder to compare. The CMA’s new transparency rules, taking effect from December 2026 for large chains and March 2027 for all practices, will require vets to publish their prices in a standardised way. This will make it much easier to see exactly what you are paying for.
If your vet charges a separate consultation fee, expect to add £30 to £65 on top of the vaccine cost.
What affects the price of puppy vaccinations?
Several factors explain why vaccination costs vary so much between practices.
Location
Vet prices vary significantly by region. According to the CMA’s March 2026 report, there is up to a 156% spread in consultation fees between the cheapest and most expensive areas of the UK. Vaccination prices follow a similar pattern. Practices in London and the South East tend to charge more than those in Wales, the North East, and Scotland.
Chain vs independent practice
The CMA found that corporate chain vets charge on average 16.6% more than independent practices. The six largest groups — CVS, IVC Evidensia, Linnaeus, Medivet, Pets at Home (Vets4Pets), and VetPartners — now own over 60% of UK vet practices. If your local vet is part of a chain, you may be paying more than a nearby independent practice for the same vaccination. For more on this, read our guide to independent vs chain vets.
Type of vaccine
Some vets offer different brands or combinations of vaccine. A vaccine that covers four diseases (DHP + L4 leptospirosis) may cost more than one covering three (DHP + L2 leptospirosis). The L4 lepto vaccine covers four strains of leptospirosis instead of two, and some vets recommend it as standard. Ask your vet which version they use and why.
Whether the consultation is included
As mentioned above, some practices bundle the consultation into the vaccination price, while others charge separately. A bundled price may look higher at first glance but could actually be better value overall.
How much do annual booster vaccinations cost?
Annual booster vaccinations for dogs in the UK typically cost between £50 and £80. The first booster is due 12 months after your puppy completes the primary course.
Not every component needs boosting every year. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) notes that core vaccines like distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis may only need boosting every three years, while leptospirosis requires an annual booster. Your vet will advise on the appropriate schedule.
Some owners choose titre testing instead of automatic boosters for the core diseases. A titre test measures antibody levels in the blood to check whether your dog still has protection. Titre testing typically costs £50 to £120 but can save you from giving unnecessary vaccinations. However, titre testing does not cover leptospirosis, which still needs an annual booster.
How much does kennel cough vaccination cost?
The kennel cough (Bordetella) vaccine is not part of the standard primary course. It costs £25 to £55 and is given as a nasal spray or oral dose. Most boarding kennels require proof of kennel cough vaccination before accepting your dog. The vaccine needs renewing every 12 months.
Kennel cough vaccination is recommended if your dog regularly mixes with other dogs — at kennels, daycare, dog parks, or training classes.
How much does a rabies vaccination cost for pet travel?
If you plan to travel abroad with your dog, a rabies vaccination is required. This costs £50 to £90 and must be given at least 21 days before travel. The rabies vaccine is not part of the routine UK vaccination schedule because the UK is rabies-free, so it is only needed for the Animal Health Certificate required for pet travel.
Your vet must be authorised to issue an Animal Health Certificate (previously the pet passport). There may be an additional fee of £100 to £200 for the certificate and associated health checks.
How to compare puppy vaccination prices
Comparing vaccination prices between practices is one of the simplest ways to make sure you are paying a fair price. Here is how to do it.
- Ask for the full price including consultation. When you phone or check a vet’s website, ask whether the quoted vaccination price includes the consultation fee. This is the only way to make an accurate comparison.
- Compare two or three practices in your area. You do not need to ring every vet in town. Checking two or three gives you a good sense of the local range.
- Check whether your vet is part of a chain. Under the CMA’s new ownership transparency rules, vet practices will need to disclose who owns them. Independent practices tend to offer lower prices for routine procedures.
- Consider a pet health plan. Many vet practices offer monthly subscription plans that bundle vaccinations, flea and worming treatments, and health checks for a fixed monthly fee, typically £10 to £20 per month. Over a year, this can work out cheaper than paying for each item separately.
- Use Pawlee to compare prices. Pawlee is building a free vet price comparison tool that lets you compare vaccination prices by postcode. When the new CMA transparency rules come into effect, all UK vets will have to publish their prices, and Pawlee will bring them together in one place. Join the waitlist at pawlee.uk to be the first to compare.
New CMA rules on vet pricing transparency
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published its final report on the UK veterinary market on 24 March 2026. The headline change is that all UK vets must now publish their prices publicly. Large corporate chains must comply by December 2026. All remaining practices must comply by March 2027.
This means that within the next year, you will be able to see vaccination prices on every vet’s website before you book. The CMA found that a lack of price transparency has been a major barrier for pet owners trying to find fair value. For a full breakdown of the new rules and what they mean for you, read our guide to the CMA vet review.
| Milestone | Date | Who It Affects |
|---|---|---|
| CMA final report published | 24 March 2026 | All UK vet practices |
| Price publication required (large chains) | December 2026 | Corporate groups with 10+ practices |
| Price publication required (all vets) | March 2027 | All remaining practices |
Getting a puppy? See our breed vet cost guides to understand what health costs to expect for your specific breed, and browse treatment cost guides and condition guides.
Pawlee is a free, independent UK vet price comparison service. Compare vet prices by postcode when we launch — join the waitlist.
