Kitten vaccine schedule: ages and boosters

A kitten usually gets its first core vaccine at 6 to 9 weeks old, a second dose 3 to 4 weeks later, and often a third at 16 to 20 weeks, especially for panleukopenia. The first booster follows about 12 months later. After that, boosters are given every 1 to 3 years, depending on the vaccine, the disease and your cat's risk. The core vaccine, usually a 3-in-1, protects against panleukopenia (feline parvo), calicivirus and herpesvirus, the three core diseases that Malaysia's Department of Veterinary Services also lists. Indoor cats need the core vaccine too, because these viruses travel on shoes and clothes. In Malaysia, a core combination vaccine cost about RM40 to RM65 a dose at government vet clinics and RM50 to RM200 at private clinics in a 2024 theSun price survey. Your vet sets the exact schedule for your kitten. In Bahasa Melayu, people search for this as jadual vaksin kucing.

This is general information from a grooming and boarding team, not veterinary advice. PGH is a grooming shop and pet hotel, not a vet clinic, and we do not vaccinate pets. Ask your vet to plan your kitten's vaccines.

At what age should a kitten get its first vaccine?

Between 6 and 9 weeks old. Cornell says kittens receive a series of vaccines over a 12 to 16 week period, starting at 6 to 8 weeks. International Cat Care says the course often starts at 8 to 9 weeks.

Earlier doses do not work well. A kitten takes in protective antibodies from its mother's milk in the first hours after birth, and those antibodies also block its response to a vaccine. They fade over a few weeks, which is why vets give a series of doses rather than one. Shelters and rescues may start earlier where the risk of infection is very high.

What is the kitten vaccine schedule?

Age	What usually happens
6–9 weeks	First core vaccine (3-in-1)
3–4 weeks later, often around 12 weeks	Second dose
16–20 weeks	Third dose, now commonly recommended, especially for panleukopenia
About 12 months after the kitten course	First booster
Every 1–3 years after that	Boosters, depending on the vaccine and your cat's risk

The schedule follows International Cat Care. WSAVA's global guidelines also advise repeating the core vaccine every 2 to 4 weeks until a kitten is 16 weeks old or more. Your vet may use a slightly different timing for your kitten's vaccine brand and risk.

Which vaccines does a kitten need?

Core vaccines, for every cat:

• Feline panleukopenia (feline parvo or feline distemper). A severe, often fatal viral disease. Our cat parvo guide covers the signs.
• Feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus, the two main causes of cat flu. See cat flu signs and care.

These three usually come together as a 3-in-1 vaccine. A 4-in-1 typically adds chlamydia, and a 5-in-1 adds feline leukaemia virus (FeLV).

FeLV, for cats that go outside. PDSA says cats that go outside, even into a garden, also need the FeLV vaccine, while an indoor-only cat may not, because FeLV usually spreads between cats in close, regular contact. Ask your vet whether your kitten needs it.

Rabies vaccination is not part of the 3-in-1. Ask your vet whether your cat needs it. Our vaccine cost guide lists rabies prices at government and private clinics.

How many times does a cat need vaccinating?

Usually two or three doses as a kitten, one booster about a year later, then a booster every 1 to 3 years for life.

PDSA says FeLV protection lasts about a year, while protection against herpesvirus, calicivirus and panleukopenia lasts around three years. That is why some vaccines are given yearly and others less often. Your vet decides the interval from your cat's age, lifestyle and the vaccine used.

If a booster is missed, call your vet. PDSA says a cat may keep some protection for two to three months after the due date. A cat that is well overdue may need to restart the primary course.

Do indoor cats need vaccines?

Yes, the core vaccines. PDSA says cat flu viruses and panleukopenia are very infectious and can spread on clothes, shoes and other surfaces, so a cat that never goes out can still catch them. An indoor-only cat may not need the FeLV vaccine.

Indoor cats also meet other cats more often than owners expect: at the vet, at a groomer, in a pet hotel or when a new cat joins the home.

When is a kitten fully protected?

Not until some weeks after the last dose of the course. PDSA puts full protection at 3 to 4 weeks after the final injection. Until your vet says the course is complete, PDSA advises:

• Keep your kitten indoors.
• Do not let it meet cats from outside your home.
• Wash your hands after going out, especially if you have touched other cats.

What side effects can a kitten have after a vaccine?

Most kittens have none. International Cat Care and PDSA list mild effects that usually pass within one to two days:

• tiredness
• eating less
• a mild fever
• tenderness where the injection was given

Call your vet if your kitten vomits, has diarrhoea, limps, or seems unwell. International Cat Care says a lump at the injection site that lasts more than 2 to 3 weeks or keeps growing must be checked by a vet straight away. Tell your vet before the next dose if your kitten has reacted before.

How much do kitten vaccines cost in Malaysia?

Item	Government vet clinic	Private vet clinic
Core combination vaccine, per dose	RM40–65	RM50–200
Kitten course of 3 doses plus neutering	RM150–225	RM150–600 for vaccines, plus up to RM150 for neutering

Figures from theSun's 2024 price survey, as summarised in our vaccine and neutering cost guide. Prices may have changed since, so call the clinic for a current quote. For clinics near Subang Jaya, see government vet clinics in Selangor and vet clinics in Subang Jaya and USJ.

Can a kitten board or be groomed at PGH before its vaccines are done?

• Hotel. PGH accepts kittens after at least one vaccination, at the owner's own risk. A photo of the vaccination record is enough. Wait until your vet says the course is complete if you can. Our pet hotel vaccination rules explain why.
• Grooming. A kitten basic groom (under 2 kg) is RM60 to RM80 and includes a bath, blow dry, nail trim, ear cleaning, sanitary shave and paw trim. Tell us your kitten's age and vaccine dates when you book.

Prices checked October 2026. Full prices are on the cat grooming page.