Doctors Prescribe Community Immunity

Evergreen Learning Center in Goleta has one of the highest vaccination rates.

Ninety-eight percent of the children have been vaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella.

Susan Asch-Luna said she likes the fact that the private pre-school has such a high immunization rate. She said she was wary until she did some research of her own.

Dr. Daniel Brennan said Evergreen Learning Center is part of a program striving for community immunity.

The pediatrician with Cottage Children’s Hospital and Sansum Clinic said children with their first vaccine are protected, but they will get a second dose by the time they are six years of age. Brennan said an outbreak could result in an early date for the second booster shot.

He said adults with a record of the MMR vaccine don’t need a booster.

Brennan also said the vaccine does not have mercury and the vaccine is not made in separate doses for each preventable disease.

Dr. Brennan said, “It’s the safest thing out there.” Brennan said it doesn’t cause developmental delays.