Most puppies need three or four vaccine visits, 2 to 4 weeks apart, from about 8 weeks old until after 16 weeks, then a booster at about 1 year. South Carolina law requires every dog to be vaccinated against rabies and kept continuously protected (S.C. Code 47-5-60). Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Indian Land, a vet clinic in Indian Land, South Carolina, plans your puppy's whole series at the first visit.
Started shots with a breeder or rescue? Bring the records; the vet usually continues the series rather than restarting it.
Call (803) 232-9817 or book online.
What happens at each puppy vaccine visit?
At Petfolk Indian Land, puppies get a distemper-parvo booster every 2 to 4 weeks until they are older than 16 weeks, as the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) canine vaccination guidelines advise.
About 8 weeks. First DA2PP shot, which covers distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), parainfluenza and parvovirus. The vet does a nose-to-tail exam and often checks a stool sample for worms. Puppies pick up roundworms and hookworms easily, so a deworming plan usually starts here.
About 12 weeks. Second DA2PP and first leptospirosis dose. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection spread in wildlife urine that can also infect people; AAHA now lists it as a core vaccine. Bordetella (kennel cough) is added for daycare, boarding, grooming or classes.
At 16 weeks or a little after. Final DA2PP and second leptospirosis dose. Rabies is usually given in this window too, at the minimum age printed on the vaccine label.
About 1 year. Boosters for distemper-parvo, leptospirosis and rabies, plus any lifestyle shots.
Why does a puppy need a series of shots?
A young puppy carries antibodies from its mother's milk, and they fade at different speeds in different puppies. While they linger, they can block a vaccine from working. Giving doses every few weeks until after 16 weeks makes sure one lands after the mother's protection is gone.
How do Charlotte-area puppies move through the series at Petfolk?
Across Petfolk's Charlotte-area clinics, puppies who started their series between October 2025 and June 2026 (followed through October 19, 2026) got their first core vaccine at a typical age of about 11 weeks.
About 4 in 5 (78%) came back for at least a second core dose, and 46% for a third.
About 3 in 4 (76%) also got their rabies vaccine with Petfolk.
Petfolk Indian Land opened in May 2026, so these figures cover Petfolk's six Charlotte-area clinics. Book the next visit before you leave each appointment.
What does South Carolina rabies law mean for my puppy?
South Carolina requires dogs, cats and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies with a USDA-licensed vaccine often enough to stay continuously protected (S.C. Code 47-5-60). The vet gives the shot, signs a rabies certificate and hands you a metal tag to wear on the collar. In January 2025, the state health department confirmed rabid raccoons in Lancaster County, and exposed dogs had to be quarantined. The rabies vaccine page covers boosters and exposures.
Where can my puppy go before the series is done?
Until the Petfolk Indian Land vet says the series is complete, parvovirus can linger in grass and dirt where unknown dogs have been.
Carry your puppy in public, and keep walks to your own yard and the homes of friends with healthy, vaccinated dogs.
Skip busy dog areas and pet store floors.
Puppy classes that require proof of vaccines and clean their floors are usually fine after the first round. Ask the vet first.
Lancaster County expects pets to be under restraint at all times, and a pet off your property must be on a leash (Lancaster County ordinances), so practice leash walking early.
After searching for the right vet, I finally found a team that truly listened to my concerns about my puppy Lucy and took the time to answer all of my questions.
Michelle J., Google review
Is a vaccine reaction an emergency for a puppy?
Mild soreness, a small lump at the injection site or a sleepy evening is common. Call Petfolk Indian Land if the lump grows or lasts more than a few weeks. Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital for facial swelling, hives, repeated vomiting or trouble breathing within hours of a vaccine, or for vomiting and bloody diarrhea in a puppy that isn't fully vaccinated, which can be parvovirus.
Where do I start my puppy's shots off Charlotte Highway?
Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Indian Land is a vet in Indian Land at 1150 Sherbrook Ave, Ste B109, Indian Land, SC 29707, near Charlotte Highway. Call (803) 232-9817 or book online.
Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Indian Land, or see all veterinary services in Indian Land.
New puppy, new questions
On Sherbrook Ave, near Charlotte Highway