What is the recommended age for a puppy's first vaccination?

The recommended age for a puppy's first vaccination is around 8 weeks. Vaccinating at this age is crucial because puppies are typically weaned from their mother by then, and their maternal antibodies start to wane. This is the time when they become more susceptible to infectious diseases, and vaccinating helps protect them from potentially serious illnesses like distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus.

Starting vaccination at 8 weeks also aligns with the typical schedule of puppy vaccinations, allowing for a series of booster shots to be given at appropriate intervals. This ensures that the puppy develops a strong immune response, which is vital for their long-term health. Vaccinations are usually given in a series, and following up with additional doses at the recommended intervals, such as at 12 and 16 weeks, helps to maximize the protection.

Other ages listed, such as 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks, either precede the optimal time for the first vaccination to be effective or fall into a later part of the vaccination schedule, which is not where the initial vaccination is recommended.