Jeri
Actually, in animals reactions are not at all "rare" as many vets believe. In fact, immunologists have listed numerous reactions which are fairly common -- many of which vets mistakenly seem to consider "normal" and not reactionary at all. This speaks volumes. Couple that with a broken reporting system which gives the information to the vaccine company via a vet who believes they have cause to report it (an obstacle in itself) or know to do so (another obstacle), and allows that information to become "proprietary". So we actually are not allowed to KNOW the numbers of animals who have had serious reactions. Nice set up, isn't it? Here is a list of what immunologists consider to be reactions. This is the LEADING vet immunologist in the world with over 40 years of research and publication under his belt. http://truth4pets.org/2012/07/vaccine-reactions/
Consider also that vaccine related illness is now becoming more common and recognized.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1939-1676.1996 and there has been a study out of Purdue proving that often serious health issues arise when vaccinating: http://www.omegadanes.com/purdue_university_and_hayward_foundation_study_on_vaccines.htm
Of course, it's long been established that cats in particular have had fibrosarcomas at the sites of injections, but now a study has emerged reporting such events in dogs: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1439-0442.2003.00544.x/abstract?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=&userIsAuthenticated=false
One is always free to continue to vaccinate, but it's been established that animal immunity lasts FAR LONGER than the current protocols. For my household, no more vaccines. Period. And by doing so we are following the science, not the current trends. As for not vaxxing altogether, many pursue this course with great success. Remember that vaccines have not always existed, and yet dogs are not extinct..... I get the fear, and for me and mine it's a non issue since we adopt and will have to deal with any aftermath of health issues, but a dog with no health issues is a wonder to behold. Now THOSE are rare, sadly.