What vaccines are required for South Carolina students?

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A new school year in South Carolina is just around the corner.

Preparations are underway to send children back to the classroom from shopping for clothes to gathering school supplies to ensuring vaccinations are up-to-date.

South Carolina law requires that students receive certain immunizations – or have a valid exemption – to attend childcare programs and public or private school.

Enrolled students aged 3 months and older must have a valid immunization certificate on record with their institution.

Here’s everything parents need about vaccinations for the upcoming school year:

What vaccines are required for K-12 students in South Carolina?

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH), formerly the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, has minimum immunization requirements for all children going to school in the

Here are the minimum requirements to enroll in any public, private, or parochial school for grades 5K-12:

Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTP): Grades 5K-12

• Four doses of any combination of DTP, DT, DTaP, Td, or Tdap vaccine with at least one dose received on or after the fourth birthday

Tdap Booster: Grades 7-12

• One dose of Tdap vaccine, which may be included as one of the doses needed to meet the DTP requirement.
• For grades 7-9, the vaccine must be given on or after the tenth birthday.
• For grades 10-12, the vaccine must be given on or after the seventh birthday.

Polio: Grades 5K-12

• Three doses of oral and/or inactivated polio vaccine with at least one dose received on or after the fourth birthday.

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR): Grades 5K-12

• Two doses of MMR vaccine with both doses received on or after the first birthday and separated by at least four weeks

Hepatitis A: Grades 5K-4

• Two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine with both doses received on or after the first birthday and separated by at least six months

Hepatitis B: Grades 5K-12

• Three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine with the third dose received after 24 weeks of age and at least 16 weeks after the first dose

Varicella: 5K-12

• For grades 5K-10, two doses of varicella vaccine with both doses received on or after the first birthday and separated by at least four weeks or a positive history of disease
• For grades 11-12, one dose of varicella vaccine received on or after the first birthday or positive history of disease

The department also recommends several other vaccines for children to protect against diseases, including all age-appropriate vaccines, although they may not be required.

Are there any changes to the requirements for the upcoming school year?

SCDPH announced some changes to immunization requirements that will be in effect for the 2024-2025 school year, including:

• 9th grade: one dose of Tdap vaccine on or after the 10th birthday.
• 10th grade: two doses of varicella. A child with a positive history of the disease is considered immune and is exempt from this requirement.
• 12th grade: three doses of oral and/or inactivated polio vaccine with at least one (1) dose received on or after the fourth birthday.
• 4th grade: two doses of hepatitis A vaccine with both doses received on or after the first birthday and separated by at least 6 months.

Are COVID-19 vaccinations required?

COVID-19 vaccines are not required in South Carolina.

However, SCDPH and the CDC continue to recommend that students six months and older be vaccinated against coronavirus.

“Being up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines is the best way to stay healthy and keep those around you healthy, too,” the department’s website states.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are available for individuals six months and older, and the Novavax vaccine is available for those 12 and older.

Find a free COVID-19 vaccine provider near you here .

Can a child be exempt from vaccines?

South Carolina recognizes religious and medical exemptions for families who do not want to vaccinate their children.

Medical exemptions may be granted when a child has a permanent or temporary medical reason for exclusion. The exemption portion of the certificate must be completed by a licensed physician or their authorized representative. For temporary medical exemptions, an expiration date in the future should be documented when the next immunizations are due.

To get a religious exemption, parents or guardians must sign the portion of the exemption form stating that one or more immunizations conflict with their religious beliefs. The religious exemption form can only be obtained from a state health department.

Where can a child go to get vaccinated?

Children can visit their regular healthcare provider or a public health clinic to get vaccinated. Find the list of SCDPH clinics here .

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