Core vaccines, at a glance
Protocols vary by country and by your local veterinary authority's guidelines, so this is a general overview, not a substitute for the schedule your clinic already follows. Most core vaccine programs for puppies start around 6–8 weeks, with boosters roughly every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks, then a booster at one year, and ongoing boosters every one to three years depending on the vaccine and local regulation.
For kittens, the pattern is similar: a first round around 6–8 weeks, boosters every 3–4 weeks through 16 weeks, then annual or triennial boosters depending on the vaccine and the cat's lifestyle (indoor vs. outdoor exposure changes which non-core vaccines are relevant).
Why missed boosters are a recurring problem
The series only works if every dose happens on schedule — a missed booster during the puppy or kitten series can mean restarting part of the protocol. In a busy clinic, this is rarely a knowledge problem; it is a tracking problem. Paper reminder cards get lost, and a shared spreadsheet does not proactively tell anyone that a booster is due next week.
This is exactly the gap VetPaw's patient records close: every vaccine entered against a patient carries its own due date, and the app surfaces who is due — clinic-wide — instead of relying on someone remembering.
What a good reminder system should do
Whatever you use to track vaccines — paper, a spreadsheet, or software — it should cover these basics:
- Per-patient due dates — tied to the actual animal, not a generic calendar entry.
- A way to notify the owner — ideally by text or WhatsApp, not just a sticker in a paper file.
- A clinic-wide view — so any staff member can see who is due this week, not just the vet who saw them last.
- A record of what was actually given — batch number and date, not just "vaccinated: yes".
Frequently asked questions
Does software replace a vet's judgment on vaccine timing?
No — it only tracks and reminds. The protocol itself should always follow your clinic's own veterinary guidance and local regulations.
How do clinics usually automate these reminders?
A clinic management app like VetPaw tracks each vaccine record per patient and prepares a ready-to-send WhatsApp/SMS reminder when one is due, so reception doesn't have to compose one from memory — just open it and tap send.
More guides
- Veterinary clinic management software: what it is, and how to choose one
- How to start your own veterinary clinic: a practical checklist
- Veterinary clinic business plan: template and key sections
- How much does it cost to open a veterinary clinic? A budget guide
- How to choose a veterinary clinic management system: a 10-point checklist
- How to get new clients for your veterinary clinic
- Patient records and SOAP notes: best practices for veterinary clinics
- How to reduce no-shows at your veterinary clinic
- Productivity in veterinary practice: where the time actually goes
- Appointment reminder message examples for veterinary clinics