I have included several links to articles regarding vaccinations. One article includes a link to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) vaccine protocols, and I suggest you copy it and give it to your vet and ask if he or she follows these protocols. The other articles discussing the different vaccines, which are recommended and are not and why, and immunology in general. The second (Critter Fixer Hospital website) is an excellent article which makes it easier to for us lay people to understand what vaccines are all about, and to make informed decisions concerning which vaccines we would like to use and when. It also provides a schedule of when to give each vaccine. The third article is from a presentation given at a conference to veterianarians, and has lots of good information, although it's a bit more technical. This would be a good article to share with your veterinarian.
Remember, I have already vaccinated your cat or kitten - some vets want to redo the vaccine because they don't trust the breeder - don't allow this! Over vaccination can be very dangerous, as you will read in the articles. One of the problems of overvaccination is vaccine-induced feline sarcoma, a deadly cancer. You should have received some medical records on your cat giving you the dates and types of vaccines I and my vet have used on your new kitty. Please share these with your veterinarian.
I recommend you give the three-way vaccine (panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calici viruses) at one year and four months old; this is the booster shot that is given one year after their last kitten vaccine. The new vaccine protocols recommend revaccination every three years (not every year as formerly recommended, and as the vaccine companies would like you to do). According to the Critter Fixer article, these vaccines aren't really needed at all after the cat has the first boosters, since their immune systems are matured. Your vet may give yearly vaccines - don't let him do it to your cats! Since the AAFP says 3 years, ask your vet to follow those guidelines instead of whatever his standard is, and instead of the vaccine manufacturers' recommendations.
One more note on vaccines. I don't in general give rabies shots. However, as it says in my contract, if you feel you need to give rabies, or it is required where you live or for your cat to visit a different state, I prefer the Purevax vaccine by Merial. It has no adjuvant, which should make it safer, since the adjuvant is believed to be the cause of vaccine-induced sarcomas. Make sure you find a vet that uses this vaccine, AND uses the proper protocols - rabies in the right rear leg. Make sure the vet gives you a rabies certificate, so if you ever need to prove the cat received it, you can. Carry it with you when traveling with your cat into states that require rabies vaccinations, like Texas.
