How many times is the tick vaccine administered? - briefly
The vaccine is given in two initial injections four weeks apart, with a booster dose required each year.
How many times is the tick vaccine administered? - in detail
The standard protocol for canine tick immunization consists of two primary injections. The first dose is given at the beginning of the vaccination series, followed by a second dose 2–4 weeks later. After this initial series, a single booster is required each year to maintain protective immunity.
- Initial dose – administered at the start of the schedule.
- Second dose – given 2–4 weeks after the first.
- Annual booster – delivered once every 12 months.
The timing aligns with the vaccine’s documented duration of immunity, which is approximately one year. Some manufacturers recommend a later booster (e.g., at 12 months) for dogs younger than 12 months at the time of the first dose, to ensure full coverage as the animal matures.
For felines, no tick vaccine is currently licensed; protection relies on topical or oral acaricides rather than immunization.
In human medicine, no approved vaccine against tick bites or tick‑borne diseases exists in most countries. Research is ongoing, but the current preventive strategy for people focuses on avoidance measures, prompt tick removal, and, where available, vaccines targeting specific pathogens (e.g., Lyme disease in limited regions).