I just got myself Elizabeth Hodgkins book (one of my bday presents) and I was surprised to read that she doesn´t recomend yearly vaccination for all cats. It seems in some cases it is being linked to some form of cancer. I thought it was what we were supposed to do yearly, now I´m confused. Do you all do yearly shots?

This is an "often" talked about issue.This is taken from an article on the F.A.B.site
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How frequently should my cat be vaccinated?

All cats should receive a primary core vaccination course of two injections three to four weeks apart, commencing from around nine weeks of age. The cat's need for non-core vaccines can be assessed at this time. In order to ensure a good level of continuing protection, the first booster vaccination should be given a year after the primary course. Thereafter, the recommended frequency of boosters may depend on individual lifestyle and risk.

The current vaccine manufacturers' recommendations are for annual vaccinations, as the product licenses have been based on immunity studies of one year's duration. Many veterinary surgeons follow these guidelines, as not complying with the licensing regulations could leave them open to assertions of negligence. However, more and more work is emerging that demonstrates that the core vaccines are effective for at least three years. Owners can elect to have their cats vaccinated in a triennial regime, provided that they accept that this does not follow the manufacturers' recommendations (ie, informed consent). It is recommended that an annual health check still be performed, even if the cat does not receive a vaccination each year.

Cats that stay at boarding catteries will require an annual vaccination in order that the cattery's insurance is valid and because it is one of the higher risk areas. This should be given at least two weeks before boarding
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When Meeko had his first set of boosters last year he was quite ill,so I will be thinking long and hard as to whether he has them on an annual basis,he is an indoor cat,and yes I'm aware that there are still risks of infection.

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I don't do any boosters at all. But if you feel you need to do them, every 3 years is perfectly acceptable.

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Are your cats indoors?

I will never miss boosters again. My INDOOR cats have both had cat flu in recent weeks and only one made it. My Oriental, Mia, developed symptoms on Boxing Day and I rushed her t the vet but he said to take her home and nurse her unless she got worse. She was poorly, but kept eating. Exactly a week later, my gorgeous Thai Lilac Boy became ill and despite being hospitalised and intensively nursed on a drip and oxygen, plus drugs - 3 days later he was dead. The vet said he had a particularly virulent form of Calicivirus. I must've somehow brought the virus in to them - they never go out. I am still heartbroken and in shock ... I will never miss vaccinations again.

I did hear a fair bit about a virulent calicivirus in the states a little while ago. I wouldn't blame yourself for not doing boosters as I'm not sure it would have made a difference. Honestly cannot remember full details but US breeders were losing young kittens of fully vaccinated mothers to it which would suggest maternal anitibodies were of no help.

All this info is confusing, are we to give yearly vaccines or not? It´s scary reading that some vets think they can cause cancer and then, what if Melrin falls ill if I dont?

I believe it was the adjuvants in killed vaccines which were under suspicion rather than the vaccines themselves. It is important to consider when any information was published as things do move on. You have the choice of using only modified live virus vaccines such as Tricat. Unfortunately FeLV is only ever a killed vaccine but Purevax have now brought out a non adjuvanted version. If enough owners start insisting on choice then vets will have to give us what we want. Unfortunately most owners walk in and allow vets to use whatever is convenient or most profitable.

It is complicated and a difficult decision which should be made for each individual circumstance.

I found this article by Lisa Pierson helpful, she explains about adjuvents, vaccine site sarcoma, making risk assesment, what to ask your vet, also covers rabies vaccination, its long but she puts things in plain english:

Vaccines for Cats: We Need to Stop Overvaccinating by Lisa A. Pierson, DVM :: Vaccines are very important but do carry risks

I don't know for sure if a booster would've made a difference to the outcome in Boy's case, we'll never know, but his Petplan insurance was invalid for his treatment because his booster was not done.