Vaccinations for kittens and Cats

People usually end up here with the same questions: which vaccines are actually needed, when the first needles should happen, and how often boosters really matter. The stakes are plain. Cat flu spreads quietly through households and shelters, panleukopenia can be lethal in young kittens, and some infections travel on shoes, carriers and visiting hands—not just outdoor adventures.^{1, 2}

What follows is a practical, Australia-focused guide to core and risk-based vaccines, the timing behind the kitten series, what “boosters” mean in real life, and the side effects worth watching for (including what to do with a post-vaccination lump).^{2, 3}

Why vaccinating matters

Vaccines don’t make a cat invincible. They train the immune system so that, if exposure happens, illness is less likely and often less severe. That matters most in kittens, whose immune defences are still learning what “normal” looks like, and in multi-cat settings where viruses move from nose to nose with very little fuss.^{1, 2}

Even indoor cats can be exposed. Panleukopenia virus is hardy in the environment, and cat flu viruses can arrive via a new cat, a boarding stay, a vet visit, or a brief escape outside.^{1, 2}

Core vaccines in Australia (the “F3”)

In Australia, the routine “core” vaccination for cats is commonly called F3. It protects against:^{1, 2}

• Feline panleukopenia (also called feline enteritis; caused by feline parvovirus)
• Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) (one of the main causes of “cat flu”)
• Feline calicivirus (FCV) (another major cause of “cat flu”)

These are the vaccines most vets recommend for every cat, regardless of lifestyle, because the diseases are widespread and can be serious—especially in young or unvaccinated cats.^{1, 2}

Risk-based vaccines (only for some cats)

Some vaccines are best treated as risk-based: useful for certain cats, unnecessary for others. Your vet weighs local disease patterns, your cat’s habits, and the likelihood of exposure.^{2, 4}

Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV)

FeLV vaccination may be recommended for kittens and young cats, and for cats with meaningful exposure to other cats (especially outdoor access, fostering, shelters, or households where other cats roam). FeLV vaccination decisions should follow a risk–benefit discussion with your vet, and testing is typically recommended before vaccination.^{2, 4}

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

FIV risk is tied to biting and fighting, so this tends to be a discussion for cats that roam and get into scuffles. Importantly for Australian readers: the WSAVA guidelines do not recommend routine FIV vaccination, and availability varies by country and over time—your vet can tell you what’s currently used locally and what trade-offs apply.⁴

Rabies (Australia-specific reality check)

Rabies vaccination is a routine legal/public-health requirement for cats in many countries, but the rabies virus is not present in Australia. (Australia does have Australian bat lyssavirus, a related virus carried by bats, which is managed through avoiding bat handling and appropriate human post-exposure care.) If you are travelling or relocating overseas with your cat, rabies vaccination may become relevant due to destination rules.^{5, 6}

When to start: kitten vaccinations

Kittens usually begin core vaccination at 6–8 weeks, then continue every 3–4 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age. In higher-risk settings (such as shelters), the course may extend to 16–20 weeks, because some kittens still have maternal antibodies that block early vaccine doses.^{2, 7}

That “series” isn’t busywork. It’s a way of catching the moment when maternal antibodies fade and the kitten’s immune system can properly respond.⁴

Typical F3 timing (general guide)

• 6–8 weeks: first F3
• 10–12 weeks: second F3
• 14–16 weeks (or later): final kitten F3 dose

Exact timing can shift depending on your kitten’s age at adoption, health status, and local disease risk.^{2, 7}

Adult cats: boosters and how often they’re needed

After the kitten course, cats usually need a follow-up booster within the next year (the goal is to catch any cat that didn’t mount a strong response during the kitten series). After that, many core vaccines can be given at three-yearly (or longer) intervals for low-risk cats, though some cats may still be advised to vaccinate more often based on exposure risk and the vaccine product used.^{2, 8}

If an adult cat has unknown or incomplete vaccination history, guidelines commonly recommend two core vaccine doses 2–4 weeks apart, then ongoing boosters based on risk and vaccine duration of immunity.²

Before the appointment: simple preparation that helps

Most cats cope better when the day is predictable and calm. A few small choices reduce stress and make it easier for the vet to examine properly.¹

• Bring your cat in a secure carrier, with familiar bedding if possible.
• Tell the clinic about any past vaccine reactions, long-term illnesses, or current medications.
• Reschedule if your cat is clearly unwell (vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, lethargy), unless the clinic advises otherwise.

Side effects: what’s normal, and what isn’t

Most vaccine side effects in cats are mild and short-lived—sleepiness, a quieter appetite, or local tenderness where the needle went in. These typically settle within a day or two.³

More serious reactions are uncommon but important: facial swelling, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, collapse, or profound weakness soon after vaccination should be treated as an emergency and assessed straight away.³

Lumps at the injection site (including the “3-2-1 rule”)

Small, temporary lumps can happen after injections. Rarely, cats can develop an aggressive tumour at an injection site (feline injection-site sarcoma). Because early action matters, many feline guidelines recommend monitoring any post-injection lump using the 3-2-1 rule: investigate a lump that is still present 3 months after injection, is >2 cm in diameter, or is growing 1 month after injection.³

Clinics also try to place injections where surgery would be more straightforward if a problem ever developed—often low on a limb rather than between the shoulder blades.³

Cost: what shapes the price in Australia

Vaccination costs vary by clinic and by what’s included in the consult. The total usually depends on:

• whether it’s a kitten series (multiple visits) or an adult booster
• whether your cat needs additional risk-based vaccines (for example FeLV)
• any health checks, parasite control, or tests done at the same appointment

If you’re comparing clinics, ask whether the price includes the full physical exam (heart, teeth, eyes, weight, temperature) as well as the vaccine itself.

Quick checks: when to call the vet

• Any signs of breathing trouble, facial swelling, collapse, or repeated vomiting after vaccination³
• A lump that meets the 3-2-1 rule³
• Your kitten is behind schedule (don’t “restart” at home—your vet will design the catch-up plan)²

References

1. RSPCA Australia — What you need to know about pet vaccinations
2. RSPCA Knowledgebase — What vaccinations should my cat receive?
3. ABCD (European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases) — Guideline for Feline Injection-Site Sarcoma (updated/reviewed 2024–2025)
4. World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) — Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats (feline vaccination guidance)
5. Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry — Protecting Australia from rabies
6. Australian Government DAFF — Emergency Animal Diseases Bulletin: Rabies virus (No. 110)
7. University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney — Vaccinations (kitten schedule and booster timing)
8. Cat Protection Society of NSW — Vaccinations factsheet (notes on AVA advice and three-yearly core vaccination)