I wish I could get a straight answer on this topic, too. I have read so many conflicting opinions. Zoot was only given a rabies vaccine every year up until I had to kennel him last year, and he was around other animals often and has always had great immunity. Who knows? I'll bet it's different in every dog.
I'm about to find out if the kennel cough vaccine works. Zoot and Nigel have both been vaccinated for it, and over the last few days I kept a temporary foster puppy who had a horrible case of kennel cough. Well, I don't have a quarantine unit in my house, (who does?), and so the pup ran with my dogs, ate with my dogs, kissed them, you name it. She has gone to the rescue group now so in 10 days if my dogs are not coughing, I can at least have faith in the KC vaccine. If my dogs come down with it though, I will be infuriated at the veterinary world. We shall see...
Here's that sweet coughing puppy sitting with Nigel...