Vaccine vs booster vaccine

Question
I bought a puppy (she is just over 3 months old now) a few weeks ago and she got her first set of vaccines in early April (by the breeder's vet).  My vet told me to bring her in for a booster in early May.  I brought her in and got a different vet, but assumed she knew what was going on.  After vaccinating the dog, she told me to come in early next month for a booster.  I thought that was strange since this was the booster and after reading the paperwork, it looks like she didn't know this was supposed to be the booster and this was another "regular" vaccine.  Do you know if there is any difference between a regular vaccine and a booster, or is it basically the same shot given twice, with the second being called a "booster"?

Answer
Hi Robert and thanks for your question.

Congrats on your new puppy!!!

Vaccines are giving to puppies as a series of "boosters". This is to boost the titers that are building in the body. Puppies acquire immunities (via vaccines) at different rates and this is why they (vets) give boosters (3 - 4) several weeks (usually 3 - 4) apart and then again (1) at one year of age. These shots are all the same and there are no differences (with the exception of the first vaccine, which can be different)from booster to booster.
There are some newer protocols that may be changing the way vets give shots across the board, but some vets are still using the older protocols.

The difference in the wording (vaccine vs booster) is a technicality. A vaccine is the actual fluid that is being injected and a booster is how the body reacts to the vaccine. Vaccination on the other hand, is the actual act of giving the booster or used when referring to getting/having a booster.

Hope this helps to clarify :)