Common questions about kitten vaccinations
First Published: 16/09/2020
Last Updated: 30/04/2024
To safeguard their health, kittens should receive a series of vaccinations against major infectious diseases. Starting at 8-9 weeks old, they should receive a primary vaccination course, consisting of two injections 3-4 weeks apart. This protects against cat flu (feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus), feline infectious enteritis and feline leukaemia virus. Vaccinations are vital even in the UK, where these diseases are rare, largely thanks to widespread vaccination. After the initial course, kittens require annual boosters to maintain their immunity.
Brief summary
- Kittens require a primary vaccination course starting at 8-9 weeks old, with two injections given 3-4 weeks apart, followed by annual boosters
- Kitten vaccinations protect against feline herpesvirus and calicivirus, feline infectious enteritis (feline parvovirus), and feline leukaemia virus.
- Even indoor cats need vaccinations to safeguard against these diseases
- The Pet Health Club offers a cost-effective way to manage cat vaccination expenses, along with other preventative healthcare benefits
Do kittens need vaccines?
They certainly do! There may be some buzz around anti-vaccination in the media at the moment, but any vet or veterinary professional will insist that vaccinations are an absolute necessity when it comes to keeping your kitten in good health.
Your kitten will need a primary vaccination course when they’re young, followed by annual boosters to help maintain their level of protection throughout their life.
When do kittens need their vaccines?
Your kitten’s primary vaccination course should begin when they’re 8-9 weeks old. The course is made up of two separate injections, and they’re administered 3-4 weeks apart. So your kitten will get their first injection at 8-9 weeks, and then their second 11-12 weeks — their primary course will then be completed.
Depending on how old your kitten is when you first bring them home, they may have had their first injection already. A reliable breeder will be able to advise further on this.
Which vaccines do kittens need?
When you bring your kitten to the vets for their vaccines, they’ll be treated against:
Feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus - the diseases that most often lead to cat flu. Annual vaccination will protect your cat from flu and work to reduce the severity of their symptoms, although it's important to be aware that because there are so many strains of Cat Flu, it’s impossible to prevent it entirely.
Feline infectious enteritis - also known as feline parvovirus or panleukopenia, this is a highly contagious disease that’s often fatal to infected cats. Vaccinations against feline infectious enteritis are very effective, and all cats and kittens should be vaccinated at least every 3 years.
Feline leukaemia virus - an untreatable virus that affects the immune system, leading to weight loss, lethargy, fever, diarrhoea and repeated respiratory tract infections.
Chlamydia felis, once known as Chlamydophila felis, is a frequent cause of conjunctivitis in cats. Cats can be vaccinated to help reduce the symptoms of this infection, but the vaccine doesn't stop them from getting or spreading it. If a cat gets Chlamydia, it's important to keep them separated from other cats to prevent spreading.
You may have heard that these conditions are rare in the UK. They’re rare because of vaccination. Vaccination may not have a 100% success rate, but it’ll drastically improve your cat’s chances of avoiding a nasty disease or infection, that’s why it’s recommended for all kittens, or adult cats who’ve fallen behind with their protection.
How much are cat vaccinations?
As with most things, costs can vary across practices for several reasons. Research carried out in Nov 2021 found the average cost of the primary course of vaccinations (1st and 2nd vaccinations) was £74.70, and the cost of the booster was £52.60, but there are ways to reduce that cost.
We recommend the Pet Health Club™. You’ll get your kitten’s primary vaccine course, plus all their booster vaccinations for a reasonable monthly fee. Membership also includes all your cat’s flea and worm treatment, a healthy pet check every six months, great discounts such as 20% off neutering and much more.
What are the main cat vaccinations side effects?
Vaccines play an important role in protecting your cat's health by training their immune system to fight infections. In a study involving nearly half a million vaccinated cats, only a small fraction, about 0.5%, experienced adverse reactions to a vaccine.
While these reactions can be unpredictable, they don't necessarily indicate a problem with the vaccine or its administration, but rather an unusual immune response in some cats. Here is a table listing some of the more common, as well as very rare, cat vaccinations side effects.
| Side effect | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Discomfort at injection site | Pain or soreness where the vaccine was given. | Common |
| Lethargy | Decreased energy levels or reluctance to play for a few days. | Common |
| Mild fever | Slight increase in body temperature. | Common |
| Swelling at injection site | Mild warmth or swelling where the vaccine was administered. | Common |
| Reduced appetite | Eating less than usual. | Common |
| Twitching | Involuntary muscle movements. | Rare |
| Itchy skin | Indicative of an allergic reaction. | Rare |
| Limping | Difficulty walking or favoring a limb, possibly related to pain at the injection site. | Rare |
| Lump at injection site | This may be a normal inflammatory response but should be monitored by your vet. | Rare |
| Facial swelling | Swelling of the face, which can be a sign of an allergic reaction. | Rare but serious |
| Difficulty breathing | Struggling to breathe, indicating a possible severe allergic reaction. | Rare but serious |
| Hives | Skin eruptions or welts, often linked to allergies. | Rare but serious |
| Vomiting and diarrhoea | Gastrointestinal symptoms which can indicate a severe reaction. | Rare but serious |
| Collapse | Sudden loss of strength leading to falling. | Rare but serious |
| Feline injection-site sarcomas | Rare type of cancer that can form under the skin at the injection site. | Very rare but serious |
Pet healthcare plans
Pet healthcare plans make it easier to pay for and receive preventative healthcare, such as vaccinations, neutering and flea and worming that your kitten needs to stay happy and healthy.
The Pet Health Club is one of the only preventative healthcare subscription plans to offer vet-prescribed medications that cannot be bought over the counter. This gives you the peace of mind that your kitten will receive vaccinations, boosters and other vet-prescribed preventative healthcare.
How often do kittens need vaccines?
Once they’ve had their primary vaccination course, your cat will need booster vaccinations every year. Not all diseases need vaccinating that often, but some do.
If there’s been an outbreak of a particular disease in your area, your cat may need an extra booster.
Don’t worry too much about which exact vaccine your kitten needs and when, your vet will keep you updated and make sure your feline friend stays in good health. All you need to do is turn up to their appointments!
How old does a kitten have to be to get a rabies vaccine?
Thankfully, rabies isn’t a problem in the UK so your kitten will only need a rabies vaccination if you plan to take them abroad - this is a key part in the process of applying for a pet passport.
Kittens can be vaccinated against rabies from 12 weeks of age.
Find out more about travelling with your cat or about how the rules for travelling to Europe.
What about indoor cats — do they need vaccinations too?
If your cat is an indoor cat (i.e. they don’t leave the house at all), they’ll still need to be vaccinated against feline herpesvirus, calicivirus (cat flu), feline enteritis and in some cases, feline leukaemia.
An indoor-only kitten will need a primary vaccine course as normal, followed by a booster one year later. From this point on, they’ll only need boosters every three years.
It’s important to make sure that your indoor cat doesn’t slip outside by accident. Likewise, if you plan to allow any other cats into your house, you’ll need to make sure they’re fully protected - just in case. Chat to your vet for more info on keeping your indoor cat protected.
Need more info?
For more advice on kitten vaccinations and keeping your cat protected against illness and infection, have a chat with your local vet.
Find your nearest vet using our find a vet page, or speak to a vet online using our online video vets service.