If it was my dog, I'd only do the rabies then if that's the only one he needs to travel and be registered. I know you said you're concerned about the other vaccines because you're in a city and there are many other dogs, but if he's already had them numerous times in his life, he shouldn't need them anymore anyway - there should be enough antibodies to protect him for life with what he's already had. When your vet told you it's not uncommon for a dog to have a reaction even after receiveing that vacc. many times, he's right, but that is usually actually the REASON for the reaction. I can't explain it scientifically, not properly anyway, so here's a link I'd suggest you read
:
The Purdue Vaccination Studies and Auto-antibodies
So glad he pulled through and is ok now
Oh, your other option is TITER testing instead of vaccines, it's more expensive though.