yealy shots

I have an indoor cat--5 month old kitten right now--who has had her 1st set of shots.  I've been reading a lot about vaccination reactions because I think my kitty has had some.  Let me ask.....if I have an indoor cat and she isn't exposed to any other animals in our home, is it really necessary to get yearly shots or more than the 1st set of them?  I've seen a number of thoughts on this issue and I just wanted some advice from you all. 

This is a touchy subject.  You'll probably get a lot of heated replies.  A lot of people, just like with kids, do not believe vaccinations are neccessary at all and are in fact harmful.  However, what they are vaccinating for, is always a lot worse!  So yes I would recommend getting them every year.... Especially if you ever have to take her to be groomed or to a boarding place, whatever in public.  Because they will not accept her without UP-TO-DATE vaccination records.  But, it is really up to you.  If you feel she doesn't need them every year... That is your perogative.

You should do your own research. . .but no, I don't vaccinate cats after their kitten series (or after one set for adult strays). And I never vaccinate against Feline Leukemia. There's a lot of research that shows that most vaccines confer long-lasting immunity, probably for life, but at least for several years (do humans need MMR shots every year?). I don't agree with not vaccinating at all, but I also don't agree with overvaccinating.

You do need to consider the legality of not keeping current with rabies vaccines, though. If one of your guests got bitten or scratched you could have a lot of trouble. And if you ever want to board your cat or take her to a groomer she'd have to have all her shots.

Vaccination schedule is a debatable subject.  Most vets do every three years on core vaccinations without evaluation or titer testing the cat.  I believe they are overdone and there is more evidence that repeated vaccinations reduce immunity and injection sites could become cancerous.  If your animal is outdoors and you have lots of wildlife and feral cats you may consider titer testing your cats annually then vaccinate if titer is low.  Titer is an antigen antibody reaction test that provides a indication of immunity to specific antigens.

If you want a lot of "vet-approved" info, here's the AAHA guidelines: http://www.healthypet.com/petcare/CatCareArticle.aspx?title=Vaccinations_for_your_cat

AAFP: http://www.catvets.com/uploads/HTML/VaccineSummary.html

The point about boarding is a good one.  I live on my own, and was rushed to hospital 4 years ago - blue flashing lights - and came out 10 days later.  I had managed to ring a friend who took my cats to the cattery, as he did a few years previously when my father died suddenly.  I cannot imagine what would have happened had they not been able to go because of not being vaccinated.  My neighbours are all old and doddery and I won't ask them to look after my cats if I'm away because I can't trust them. 

thank you all!