Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM • Chief Executive Officer, RexVet • 2026-07-04 • 10 min read
Kitten Vaccination Schedule: FVRCP, Rabies & Timing — FL, NY & VA Vet Guide
The complete kitten vaccination schedule for Florida, New York and Virginia — FVRCP, rabies, FeLV. FL/NY/VA licensed vets by $64.99 video.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM
You just adopted a kitten. The shelter said they had 'some vaccines' but didn't specify. Now you need to know what's next, what's overdue, and what's optional. This guide is for FL, NY, and VA kitten parents to get the full picture — core vaccines, timing, cost, and how telehealth fits.
The core kitten vaccine schedule
- 6-8 weeks: FVRCP #1 (feline distemper combo)
- 10-12 weeks: FVRCP #2 + FeLV #1 (if lifestyle warrants)
- 14-16 weeks: FVRCP #3 + FeLV #2 + Rabies
- 1 year: FVRCP booster + Rabies booster + FeLV annual
- After 1 year: FVRCP every 3 years, Rabies annual or every 3 years, FeLV annual if lifestyle warrants
What each vaccine protects against
- FVRCP — 3-in-1 vaccine protecting against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus), Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (feline distemper/parvo). Core vaccine for every kitten.
- Rabies — protects against rabies virus. Fatal disease, transmissible to humans. Legally required in FL, NY, VA for indoor + outdoor cats.
- FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) — protects against retrovirus causing lymphoma, immunosuppression, anemia. Recommended for outdoor cats and multi-cat homes.
- FIV vaccine — no longer routinely recommended (interferes with FIV testing, protection questioned).
- Chlamydia and Bordetella — situational, mostly for cattery / shelter environments.
The panleukopenia priority
Panleukopenia (feline distemper) is the reason we vaccinate on such an aggressive schedule. Unvaccinated kittens exposed to panleukopenia have 70-90% mortality. The virus survives in soil and shared environments for months. Complete the FVRCP series ON TIME — no delays. The last dose at 14-16 weeks is critical because maternal antibodies from mom finally fade around 12-16 weeks, and until the last vaccine, kittens have a window of vulnerability.
Rabies laws by state
- Florida: rabies required by law at 4 months old. First rabies is 1-year vaccine, boosters after can be 3-year.
- New York: rabies required by law at 4 months old (some counties at 3 months). Same 1-year first, then 3-year.
- Virginia: rabies required by law at 4 months old. Same schedule.
Vaccine reactions — mild vs serious
- Mild (common, expected): lethargy 24-48 hours, mild fever, decreased appetite, soreness at injection site
- Moderate: swelling, vomiting, mild diarrhea within 24-48 hours
- Severe (emergency): facial swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, collapse — ANAPHYLAXIS. Rush to ER.
- Site sarcoma (rare, feline-specific): a firm lump at injection site that persists more than 3 months, grows, or is over 2cm needs biopsy. Injection sites are preferred in tail (easily amputated if sarcoma develops).
Home care after vaccines
- Keep kitten warm and quiet for 24 hours
- Offer favorite foods — appetite may be down 12-24 hours
- Do NOT bathe for 48 hours
- Watch for anaphylaxis in the first 30 minutes (usually at the vet)
- Note the injection site — some vets tattoo or record the location on paperwork for later reference
What to do if your kitten missed a vaccine
Missing the third FVRCP is common in adoption chains. If the schedule is disrupted, restart or catch up — do not skip. Talk to a vet about your kitten's specific history and adjust the schedule. Delayed vaccine schedules are common and usually catch up without long-term consequence.
Florida: outdoor cats + FeLV + rabies risk
Florida has heavy outdoor cat populations and TNR colonies. FL kittens joining outdoor households need FeLV testing PLUS FeLV vaccination series. Rabies risk from wildlife (raccoons, bats) is real in FL — enforce the annual rabies vaccine even for indoor cats.
New York: rabies enforcement + shelter transitions
NY strictly enforces rabies vaccination laws — required to license a cat in NYC. Shelter-adopted NY kittens often come with partial vaccines but need to catch up. Confirm all 3 FVRCP doses were given at least 3 weeks apart with the last dose at 14-16 weeks.
Virginia: rural exposure + rabies risk
VA rural kittens face heavy rabies exposure risk from raccoons, foxes, and bats. Rabies vaccine at 12-16 weeks is not optional. Rural VA cats with outdoor access should also be on year-round parasite prevention and FeLV vaccine series.
How telehealth fits
$64.99 RexVet video visits with FL/NY/VA-licensed vets create individualized vaccine plans (which vaccines your kitten needs based on lifestyle), coach post-vaccine care, and manage mild vaccine reactions. Actual vaccine administration must happen in-person at a clinic — telehealth cannot inject vaccines. Suspected anaphylaxis, facial swelling, or breathing difficulty → ER immediately.
Emergency signals
When to contact a veterinarian
- Facial swelling or hives after vaccine — anaphylaxis emergency
- Difficulty breathing after vaccine
- Collapse or unresponsiveness after vaccine
- Persistent lump at injection site over 3 months
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea after vaccine
- Fever above 104°F or persistent lethargy over 48 hours
Frequently asked questions
What vaccines does my kitten need?
Core vaccines: FVRCP (3-dose series at 8, 12, 16 weeks + 1-year booster + every 3 years) and Rabies (at 12-16 weeks per state law + annual or 3-year). Recommended: FeLV vaccine series for outdoor cats or multi-cat homes.
Can a RexVet online vet help with kitten vaccines?
Yes for individualized vaccine plans, post-vaccine care coaching, mild reaction management, and adjusting delayed schedules. $64.99 video visits with FL/NY/VA-licensed vets. Actual vaccine injections must be given in-person at a clinic.
Is my kitten protected after just one vaccine?
No — the full FVRCP series (3 doses) is needed for reliable protection. Maternal antibodies interfere with vaccine response until 12-16 weeks, which is why the third dose is critical. Do not skip the last dose.
What are the side effects of kitten vaccines?
Mild lethargy, mild fever, decreased appetite for 24-48 hours is normal. Facial swelling, hives, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or collapse = anaphylaxis, ER immediately. Persistent lump at the injection site over 3 months warrants biopsy (rare vaccine-site sarcoma).
Are kitten vaccines required by law?
Rabies vaccine is legally required for cats in FL, NY, and VA (both indoor and outdoor) starting at 4 months old. Other core vaccines are strongly recommended for kitten health but not legally required.
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About the author
Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM
Chief Executive Officer, RexVet
Licensed veterinarian and CEO of RexVet (Rex Vets Inc.). Practicing across Florida, New York, and Virginia via licensed telehealth. Reviews every clinical article on RexVet before publication.