Puppy Shots Schedule in the Philippines: 5-in-1, Anti-Rabies and Free Card

Puppy shots schedule

WSAVA, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, recommends starting core vaccines at 6 to 8 weeks of age, then giving one every 2 to 4 weeks until the puppy is 16 weeks old or older. AAHA, the American Animal Hospital Association, gives a similar schedule.

Puppies need several shots because antibodies from their mother can block a vaccine from working. Those antibodies fade at different times in different puppies, so the series keeps going until they are surely gone. WSAVA says the most important dose is the one given at 16 weeks or older.

The two groups differ on the next booster. WSAVA advises one at or soon after 26 weeks, to catch the few puppies who didn't respond earlier. AAHA advises one within a year of the puppy series.

How often adult dogs need vaccines

After the first adult booster, WSAVA and AAHA both say core vaccines are needed no more often than every 3 years. AAHA says annual core boosters are not necessary. WSAVA adds that vaccines should not be given needlessly.

Some vaccines are still yearly. Leptospirosis and kennel cough protection lasts about a year. Rabies follows the law where you live, and WSAVA says that where the law differs from the vaccine label, the law must be followed.

Anti-rabies vaccine for dogs: the law in the Philippines

The Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 (Republic Act 9482) requires owners to:

1. Have their dog regularly vaccinated against rabies and keep a registration card with every vaccination.
2. Register their dog with their local government.
3. Report a dog bite within 24 hours and keep the dog under observation.

The law's rules define a properly immunized dog as one vaccinated against rabies yearly. Not registering and vaccinating a dog carries a fine of ₱2,000. The Department of Agriculture is tasked with free anti-rabies vaccination of dogs, so ask your barangay or city vet office about free vaccination days.

Rabies is still a real risk. The Department of Health reported 426 human rabies cases in 2024, and all were fatal. Among the pets involved, 41% had no rabies vaccine and 56% had an unknown vaccination status.

If a person is bitten or scratched: the WHO says to wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention. In the Philippines, go to an animal bite treatment center.

Adopted dogs and unknown vaccine history

If you adopt an adult dog with no records, your vet will likely restart the core vaccines. The guidelines differ a little here. WSAVA says a single dose of a modified-live core vaccine is usually enough for an adult dog. AAHA suggests two doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart. Leptospirosis always needs two starting doses.

Some vets offer a blood test that checks antibody levels (a titer test) instead of revaccinating. WSAVA supports titer testing. AAHA says titers are rarely recommended for healthy dogs. Ask your vet what they suggest.

Side effects

Mild reactions are common and pass quickly: a sore or swollen spot where the shot went in, sleepiness, low appetite or a mild fever for a day or so.

Serious reactions are rare. In one large study from Japan cited by WSAVA, about 63 in every 10,000 dogs had any reaction, and most started within 12 hours. WSAVA notes that small dogs given several vaccines at one visit are at higher risk. If your dog had a reaction before, tell your vet before the next shot.

Dog vaccination card (free printable)

A clear record helps your vet, and you'll need it for boarding, grooming, travel and the rabies law. WSAVA recommends recording:

1. The date of each vaccine.
2. The vaccine name, manufacturer, lot number and expiry date.
3. Who gave it, and where on the body.
4. When the next dose is due.

In the Philippines, the rabies registration card must show the vet's signature and license details, and you bring it to each yearly shot.

Print the card. Free printable dog vaccination card (PDF). It has the common puppy shots schedule, the rabies rules and a record table for your vet to fill in.

Keep it all in one place. Our free dog health tracker has a simple care planner for vaccine dates and next due dates. You can also join early access for reminders before the next shot is due.

Dog vaccination 5-in-1, 6-in-1, 8-in-1: what's in the shot

Philippine clinics often name combination vaccines by a number. The same name doesn't always mean the same vaccine. One Cebu clinic lists its "6-in-1" as a brand that includes leptospirosis, while a pet food brand's guide describes other mixes. Both are commercial sources, so use them only as examples.

Ask your vet which diseases are in the vial, especially whether it covers leptospirosis, and write the brand and lot number on your checklist. A bigger number doesn't mean a better vaccine. WSAVA lists coronavirus, which some combinations include, as "not recommended".

Where to get vaccines

Get vaccines from a vet clinic or a government vaccination drive. In the Philippines, rabies vaccines must be given by a licensed vet, or by a trained person supervised by a vet during government campaigns. AAHA warns that vaccines can stop working if they aren't stored and handled correctly, which is hard to guarantee outside a clinic.