Kitten Vaccination Guide

Vaccinations are the safest and most effective way to protect your kitten and support long-term community health in our local pet population. Kittens are vulnerable to serious infectious diseases before their immune system is fully developed, and early vaccination provides essential protection.

The core vaccines for kittens in Australia protect against feline panleukopaenia (also called feline distemper), feline herpesvirus type 1, and feline calicivirus. These three are combined in the F3 vaccination given at the clinic. In some situations we also recommend vaccination against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) depending on your kitten's risk profile.

The standard vaccination schedule for kittens is: first vaccine at 6-8 weeks, second at 10-12 weeks, and third at 14-16 weeks. After this initial course, a booster is given at 12 months and then every one to three years depending on the vaccine type and your cat's lifestyle.

Until the vaccination course is complete, keep your kitten indoors and avoid contact with unvaccinated cats. The protective immunity from each vaccination builds cumulatively - the full course is required to achieve adequate protection.

We will discuss the full vaccination schedule and any additional vaccines at your kitten's first health check. Bring any vaccination records from the breeder or shelter so we can ensure the schedule continues correctly.

Call us on (03) 9592 9811 or book online at middlebrightonvet.com.au/book-online.