How necessary is it to have distemper vaccine done every year?

Hi,

My cat will be 3 years old in August. Her vet schedule called for her to have her distemper shot done again last month. I completely forgot about it, and now we need to board her tomorrow for a few days. The kennel has no problem with it. Actually, they expressed that they feel cats are over-vaccinated for distemper and that it only needs to be done every 2-3 years. I could get my cat in for an appointment either this afternoon or evening, and so I'm not sure what to do. She last had distemper shot March 2012. I'm thinking that it could easily wait another week or even longer. Any thoughts? I've done some research that seems to support the idea that they really don't need it every year. My cat is strictly an indoor cat. And at the kennel she is in a room with only cats and is in a cage by herself. 

Thanks for any suggestions,

Keith

I would definitely call your vet and ask. There may be different vaccines that last for different lengths of time. A few months shouldn't matter. I know the rabies vaccine only has to be given every 3 years. But distemper is SO easy to get, and since you board  her in a kennel where she is exposed to other cats who may have it, I would call. Unlike rabies she wouldn't have to be bit to get it, being in the same room would up the chance.

Yes it is very true that pets are over vaccinated and most vaccines are for three years yet are given every year. It is also speculated that after cats get their kitten vaccines they most likely have immunity. Here is a very well researched article on the topic written by a vet (http://www.catinfo.org/?link=vaccines). 

Sigh, I'm so confused on this vaccine thing. We brought Audrey in today, who when adopted was supposed to be up to date on vaccinations. The Vet said she should have received a booster so they gave her what my bill says is "Leukocell Vaccine". He said I also have to go back in four weeks for another booster of the same. I didn't see it in your link and just assumed the vet knew best, now it seems like a bit much.

Disregard, google works wonders apparently it's for FeLV.

Current AVMA/AAHA recommendation for the FVCRP ("distemper") vaccine is "no more often than once every 3 years" (after the kitten series).