diff --git a/client/fingerprint/vault.go b/client/fingerprint/vault.go
index 5639e861c48..c887ddcef1e 100644
--- a/client/fingerprint/vault.go
+++ b/client/fingerprint/vault.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	log "github.com/hashicorp/go-hclog"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/nomad/helper"
 	vapi "github.com/hashicorp/vault/api"
 )
 
@@ -78,5 +79,11 @@ func (f *VaultFingerprint) Fingerprint(req *FingerprintRequest, resp *Fingerprin
 }
 
 func (f *VaultFingerprint) Periodic() (bool, time.Duration) {
+	if f.lastState == vaultAvailable {
+		// Fingerprint infrequently once Vault is initially discovered with wide
+		// jitter to avoid thundering herds of fingerprints against central Vault
+		// servers.
+		return true, (30 * time.Second) + helper.RandomStagger(90*time.Second)
+	}
 	return true, 15 * time.Second
 }
diff --git a/client/fingerprint/vault_test.go b/client/fingerprint/vault_test.go
index c56ff91381a..32cd8f3b412 100644
--- a/client/fingerprint/vault_test.go
+++ b/client/fingerprint/vault_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package fingerprint
 
 import (
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/hashicorp/nomad/ci"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/nomad/client/config"
@@ -21,6 +22,14 @@ func TestVaultFingerprint(t *testing.T) {
 		Attributes: make(map[string]string),
 	}
 
+	p, period := fp.Periodic()
+	if !p {
+		t.Fatalf("expected fingerprint to be periodic")
+	}
+	if period != (15 * time.Second) {
+		t.Fatalf("expected period to be 15s but found: %s", period)
+	}
+
 	conf := config.DefaultConfig()
 	conf.VaultConfig = tv.Config
 
@@ -40,6 +49,16 @@ func TestVaultFingerprint(t *testing.T) {
 	assertNodeAttributeContains(t, response.Attributes, "vault.cluster_id")
 	assertNodeAttributeContains(t, response.Attributes, "vault.cluster_name")
 
+	// Period should be longer after initial discovery
+	p, period = fp.Periodic()
+	if !p {
+		t.Fatalf("expected fingerprint to be periodic")
+	}
+	if period < (30*time.Second) || period > (2*time.Minute) {
+		t.Fatalf("expected period to be between 30s and 2m but found: %s", period)
+	}
+
+	// Stop Vault to simulate it being unavailable
 	tv.Stop()
 
 	err = fp.Fingerprint(request, &response)
@@ -56,4 +75,12 @@ func TestVaultFingerprint(t *testing.T) {
 	assertNodeAttributeContains(t, response.Attributes, "vault.cluster_id")
 	assertNodeAttributeContains(t, response.Attributes, "vault.cluster_name")
 
+	// Period should be original once trying to discover Vault is available again
+	p, period = fp.Periodic()
+	if !p {
+		t.Fatalf("expected fingerprint to be periodic")
+	}
+	if period != (15 * time.Second) {
+		t.Fatalf("expected period to be 15s but found: %s", period)
+	}
 }
diff --git a/client/fingerprint_manager.go b/client/fingerprint_manager.go
index 8a08a077a2c..1886c8df551 100644
--- a/client/fingerprint_manager.go
+++ b/client/fingerprint_manager.go
@@ -142,9 +142,9 @@ func (fm *FingerprintManager) setupFingerprinters(fingerprints []string) error {
 			appliedFingerprints = append(appliedFingerprints, name)
 		}
 
-		p, period := f.Periodic()
+		p, _ := f.Periodic()
 		if p {
-			go fm.runFingerprint(f, period, name)
+			go fm.runFingerprint(f, name)
 		}
 
 		if rfp, ok := f.(fingerprint.ReloadableFingerprint); ok {
@@ -157,8 +157,9 @@ func (fm *FingerprintManager) setupFingerprinters(fingerprints []string) error {
 }
 
 // runFingerprint runs each fingerprinter individually on an ongoing basis
-func (fm *FingerprintManager) runFingerprint(f fingerprint.Fingerprint, period time.Duration, name string) {
-	fm.logger.Debug("fingerprinting periodically", "fingerprinter", name, "period", period)
+func (fm *FingerprintManager) runFingerprint(f fingerprint.Fingerprint, name string) {
+	_, period := f.Periodic()
+	fm.logger.Debug("fingerprinting periodically", "fingerprinter", name, "initial_period", period)
 
 	timer := time.NewTimer(period)
 	defer timer.Stop()
@@ -166,14 +167,14 @@ func (fm *FingerprintManager) runFingerprint(f fingerprint.Fingerprint, period t
 	for {
 		select {
 		case <-timer.C:
-			timer.Reset(period)
-
 			_, err := fm.fingerprint(name, f)
 			if err != nil {
 				fm.logger.Debug("error periodic fingerprinting", "error", err, "fingerprinter", name)
 				continue
 			}
 
+			_, period = f.Periodic()
+			timer.Reset(period)
 		case <-fm.shutdownCh:
 			return
 		}
diff --git a/website/content/docs/upgrade/upgrade-specific.mdx b/website/content/docs/upgrade/upgrade-specific.mdx
index b9eb22281c3..9a98d2d20fb 100644
--- a/website/content/docs/upgrade/upgrade-specific.mdx
+++ b/website/content/docs/upgrade/upgrade-specific.mdx
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ the `-json` flag is provided.
 
 Nomad clients no longer have their Consul and Vault fingerprints cleared when
 connectivity is lost with Consul and Vault. To intentionally remove Consul and
-Vault from a client node, you will need to restart the client.
+Vault from a client node, you will need to restart the Nomad client agent.
 
 ## Nomad 1.3.3