As the 2026-27 school year approaches, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is encouraging parents to ensure their children are up to date on required vaccinations and review the state’s updated School and Childcare Exclusion List.
State law requires students enrolled in public and private schools, as well as children attending childcare, to receive certain immunizations or qualify for an approved exemption before classes begin. Required vaccines include those protecting against hepatitis A and B, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough, with a Tdap booster required before seventh grade.
The reminder follows South Carolina’s largest measles outbreak in three decades during the previous school year, underscoring the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of contagious diseases.
Parents can access their child’s immunization records online through the state’s SIMON portal or schedule vaccinations through county health departments, participating pharmacies or healthcare providers. The Vaccines for Children Program also offers free vaccines for eligible uninsured and underinsured children.
DPH has also released its updated School and Childcare Exclusion List, which outlines when students and staff with contagious illnesses must stay home and the requirements for returning to school or childcare.
Additional information on vaccination requirements, exemptions and school health guidelines is available through the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
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Patrick Byrne lives in Tega Cay with his wife and two daughters. After 25 years working for a Big 4 bank, he retired to pursue his passion for writing. Additional articles and content can be found on his blog (reverian1776.blogspot.com) and freethepeople.org.
Patrick can be reach via email at [email protected]
