Kitten Vaccination Schedule UK: What Jabs and When
Your kitten's first jab happens at around 9 weeks old. A second follows at about 12 weeks. Then one booster jab a year keeps protection topped up.
Keep your kitten strictly indoors until a week after the second jab. That's when they're fully protected.
This guide does not replace professional veterinary advice.
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Which diseases do the jabs cover?
The core jabs protect against three big threats: cat flu (feline herpesvirus and calicivirus), and feline infectious enteritis (panleukopenia). These are nasty, sometimes fatal — and very preventable.
Kittens who'll go outdoors usually get feline leukaemia (FeLV) too. Your vet decides based on your kitten's lifestyle. Indoor-only kittens still need the core jabs. Cat flu viruses travel in on your clothes and shoes.
The schedule at a glance
- Around 9 weeks: first vaccination. Your vet does a full health check at the same visit.
- Around 12 weeks (3–4 weeks after the first): second vaccination.
- One week after the second jab: your kitten is fully protected. Short, supervised garden time on a harness and lead can begin. Free outdoor access waits until about 6 months old, after neutering and microchipping.
- Around 12–14 months: first booster jab.
- Every 12 months after that: yearly boosters for life.
Adopted an older kitten with no vaccination history? The vet simply starts the course from scratch. Better late than never.
What happens at the appointment?
Only healthy kittens get vaccinated. So the vet starts with a nose-to-tail health check — heart, lungs, eyes, ears, teeth, weight.
The jab itself is quick. It's usually given under the skin at the scruff. Most kittens barely flinch.
You'll receive a vaccination certificate. Keep it somewhere safe. Catteries and many insurers ask to see it.
What it costs and how to book
Prices vary between practices, so ask when you register. Most vets are happy to quote over the phone.
Many practices offer a kitten pack. It bundles both jabs with microchipping and worming — often cheaper than booking everything separately. Worth asking about.
Before the first jab: keep them indoors
Unvaccinated kittens are vulnerable. Keep yours strictly indoors until a week after the second jab. No meeting unknown cats, however friendly they look.
Use the waiting weeks well. It's the perfect time to work through your new kitten checklist and settle your kitten into their indoor routine.
After the jab: what's normal, what's not
A bit sleepy or off their food for a day or two is normal. Some kittens get a small tender lump where the needle went in. It fades on its own.
Serious reactions are rare — but know the warning signs. Call your vet immediately if you see facial swelling, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, or collapse. These can signal an allergic reaction, and speed matters.
Nothing on this page replaces your vet's advice. When in doubt, call your practice. That's what they're there for.
Getting your kitten to the vet
A sturdy carrier makes vet trips calmer for everyone. A top-opening one is easiest — you can lift your kitten out without tipping the whole carrier.
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Some kittens panic in the car no matter what. A pheromone calming spray on the carrier bedding about 15 minutes before you leave can take the edge off for nervous travellers.
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Cover the carrier with a light blanket during the journey. It blocks the scary sights and helps them settle. This carrier habit pays off later too — you'll need it for trips like the one when you're planning a neutering appointment.
When to call your vet
- Your kitten has swelling at the injection site that keeps growing after 24 hours.
- She vomits or has diarrhoea in the day after a jab.
- She seems feverish or off her food for more than 48 hours after a jab.
- She has trouble breathing or collapses (very rare, but treat it as an emergency).
FAQ
Can I vaccinate my kitten at home? No — vaccines must be given by a registered vet in the UK. The vet also does the health check that must come first.
My kitten never goes outside — does it still need jabs? Yes. The core jabs are for every kitten, including indoor-only ones, because viruses travel in on your clothes, shoes, and other pets.
What if I miss the 12-week second jab? Book it as soon as you can. A slightly late second jab is far better than none — just keep your kitten indoors until the course is complete.
Sources
The advice in this guide is based on guidance from these organisations:
Last reviewed: 22 October 2026
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page — at no extra cost to you.
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