A pet owner's primary source of information concerning their pet's health and well being should be their veterinarian. The information provided here is not a substitute for veterinary care. In all matters pertaining to the care and treatment of a pet a veterinarian must always be consulted first.

Reference Document: AAFP 2006 Vaccination Guidelines

To protect from disease and in some states or countries, as a matter or law, all cats must be vaccinated. 

A common misconception is that once a cat is vaccinated for a particular disease that cat is protected. This is mostly true but remember no vaccine is 100% effective. Some vaccines protect better than others and only by working with your vet can you make the most of a vaccine's protection

Specific to kittens, 'kitten shots' typically mean that a kitten is vaccinated with the core vaccines on multiple occasions during its first 16 -18 weeks of age. These will usually be all the shots the kitten will get during its first year of life after which additional shots will be given on a prescribed shedule. Some cat/ kittens will requires additional non-core vaccinations depending on current or anticipated disease exposures.

Lets take a quick look at the core vaccines. These will be all that is usually required for most most indoor cats.

Which diseases? There are four core viruses, they are rhinotracheitis (herpes), calicivirus, panleukopenia and rabies. A single vial of vaccine that covers the first three of these viruses is called a 3 in 1. If protection against the bacterial infection Chlamydia psittaci is included, the vaccine is called a 4 in 1. Rabies is always given separately.

Which type? There are two common types of vaccines, modified live virus (MLV) or killed virus. MLV vaccines are weaken, non-virluent versions of the actual virus. They give quick immunity but may be a problem in animals that have compromised immune systems. Killed virus vaccines take longer to establish immunity but in one respect, virulence, are safer since they use dead viruses. One the negative side they also contain adjuvants. Adjuvants stimuate the immune response. MLV don't need them and don't have them There is a great debate whether adjuvants cause injection site sarcomas . Most breeders use MLVs since they give a quick immune response and do not contain adjuvants.

All rabies vaccines with the exception of the rabies vaccine made by Merial Purevax, which uses a unique recombinant technology, are adjuvanted. Adjuvanted rabies vaccination are currently labeled for three years of effectiveness. The non-adjuvanted Purevax is currently labled for one year. The Purevax is also much more expensive. So the choice is to select the cheaper three year duration vaccine or the more expensive, but possibly safer, one year vaccine.

Some owners prefer not to vaccinate for rabies to avoid a possible cancer risk. This may leave them open to greater risks for them and their cat. In some states it is against the law not to vaccinate for rabies and if a person is scratched or bitten and proof of a rabies vaccination cannot be shown some states allow the animal to be immediately seized and euthanized so it can be tested. Check your local and state laws before deciding to forego this vaccination.

Finally, how often does a cat need to be vaccinated? Years ago it was yearly but studies have shown that immunity lasts far longer. This is another lightning rod of debate among breeders. Some study suggest that some vaccines provide a lifetime of protection. These is no absolute answer other than to consult with your vet and establish a vaccination program appropriate for your Aby