Each time I take a cat in for annual exam and shots, I ask the vet about this. There is always new information.

I always get the rabies shot because A. it is required by law here and B. if I didn't get it and then the cat bit someone, the cat goes in to quarantine for 6 months here! I normally get the distemper booster for about the same reason; if something happens, well, the risks outweigh the chance of the sarcoma, in my mind.

So I think you need to find out what the laws are where you live, and learn from your vet what the pros and cons are for each shot.

By the way, my cats have never bitten anyone except ME! Amber (Mr. Amber Cat, RIP) bit me on 2 different occassions to the point I needed medical care. The first time, I was treated as an outpatient, and the Animal Control Officer came to visit. He asked all kinds of questions and ended up telling me to keep the cat in for 10 days (he was already an indoor cat.) Thing is, no way they were able to give Amber his thyroid meds twice per day, ha ha. The second time Amber bit me, I ended up in hospital for 10 days on round the clock antibiotic IV. Good thing Amber's shots were all up to date, or I would have lost him and had him euthanized that time.

So it also depends on the cat. If the cat has medical issues which require constant pills, or subq fluids or such, the chances of the cat biting you increase, so the need to show the shots are all up to date should also be considered.