UK vet costs
How much do dog vaccinations cost in the UK?
Last updated 3 May 2026
Quick answer
The primary course of dog vaccinations in the UK typically costs £60–£90 (two injections, usually three to four weeks apart). An annual booster typically costs £40–£70. Kennel-cough vaccination, often required for boarding kennels, typically costs £25–£45 on top. The CMA Vet Services price-transparency order requires every UK vet practice to publish each of these figures on its website.
What's typical in 2026
A typical UK dog vaccination price list in 2026 looks like this:
- Primary course (puppy or unvaccinated adult): two injections two to four weeks apart, total £60–£90.
- Annual booster: one injection per year covering the core diseases (DHP / DHPPi), £40–£70.
- Leptospirosis: often combined with the booster but sometimes priced separately, £15–£30.
- Kennel cough (Bordetella +/- parainfluenza): intranasal or oral, £25–£45.
- Rabies (for pet passports / EU travel): £40–£70 plus the cost of any additional documentation.
Prices vary by location and ownership group. Corporate-owned practices commonly price above local independents on routine vaccination services according to the CMA’s 2024 market investigation findings.
Core vs non-core vaccines
UK vets follow the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) guidelines on canine vaccination. Core vaccines (recommended for every dog regardless of lifestyle) are: distemper, hepatitis (canine adenovirus), and parvovirus. Leptospirosis is widely treated as core in the UK because the disease is endemic.
Non-core vaccines (recommended based on lifestyle exposure) include kennel cough, rabies (only required for travel), and Lyme disease. Whether a non-core vaccine is appropriate for a specific dog is a clinical decision.
What's included in the price
A vaccination appointment fee typically includes the brief health check the vet performs before vaccinating, the vaccine itself, and the administration. It does not typically include a full consultation if the vet identifies a separate health issue during the check — that’s charged additionally.
The CMA’s price-transparency remedies require every UK vet practice to state whether the vaccination price includes VAT, and to disclose any additional fees that apply if a full consultation is needed alongside.
What the CMA's transparency remedies change
Under the CMA’s 2025 Vet Services price-transparency order, every regulated UK vet practice must publish its vaccination prices on its website — primary course, annual booster, and kennel cough at minimum — with VAT inclusion stated explicitly. The remedies are phased in from 2026 onwards.
Vet Cost Index aggregates these disclosures into a national index that lets you compare vaccination prices by location and ownership group like-for-like.
Lower-cost alternatives
Vaccinations carried out by a registered UK vet practice are the standard route. Some lower-cost alternatives exist but with material trade-offs:
PDSA, RSPCA, Blue Cross. Charity veterinary practices offer subsidised or free vaccinations for owners on qualifying benefits. Eligibility is means-tested and capacity is limited.
Health plans. Many UK practices offer monthly health-plan subscriptions bundling vaccinations, parasite prevention, and routine checks. The CMA’s remedies require practices to disclose health-plan pricing alongside individual service prices so consumers can compare.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the primary course of dog vaccinations cost in the UK?
The primary course typically costs £60–£90 in the UK in 2026. It involves two vaccinations two to four weeks apart, usually given to puppies or to adult dogs that haven't been previously vaccinated. The CMA's price-transparency order requires every UK vet practice to publish this figure on its website.
How much does an annual dog booster cost?
An annual canine booster vaccination typically costs £40–£70 in the UK. The booster covers the core diseases (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, with leptospirosis often combined). Practices set their own pricing within the typical range; ownership group and geography are the main drivers of variation.
Do I have to get my dog vaccinated every year?
Annual booster timing depends on the specific vaccine and the WSAVA guidelines your vet follows. Some core vaccines (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus) provide three years of immunity in many dogs; leptospirosis typically requires annual boosting. Speak to your vet about an appropriate schedule for your dog.
How much does the kennel cough vaccine cost?
The kennel cough vaccine (Bordetella, sometimes combined with parainfluenza) typically costs £25–£45 in the UK on top of the annual consultation or booster fee. Many UK boarding kennels and dog daycare facilities require kennel cough vaccination before admission.
Are vaccinations cheaper at PDSA or RSPCA?
PDSA, RSPCA and Blue Cross provide subsidised veterinary care including vaccinations to pet owners on qualifying state benefits. The service is means-tested, capacity is limited, and you typically need to register at a specific local centre. For owners not eligible, registered UK vet practices are the standard route.
Vet Cost Index
A transparent UK vet-pricing index built around the CMA Vet Services price-transparency remedies. The comparison index opens as practices publish their disclosures from 2026 onwards.