Here are new SC student vaccine requirements for the 2022-23 school year. What about COVID-19?
South Carolina students in certain grades will need additional vaccinations for the upcoming school year, health officials say.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has updated its annual immunization requirements for students to attend school in August. Those changes include additional vaccinations for students in 8th, 2nd and 10th grades, unless they have certain exemptions. None of these are new vaccines, but rather the existing requirement has been extended to additional grade levels.
The changes include:
8th grade students are now required to get two doses of vaccine for varicella or chickenpox. A child with a positive history of the disease is considered immune and exempt from the requirement.
10th grade students are now required to get three doses of oral and/or inactivated polio vaccine with at least one dose received on or after the fourth birthday.
2nd grade students are now required to get two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine, with both doses received on or after the first birthday and separated by at least six months.
But what about the COVID-19 vaccine?
The DHEC will not require that students get the COVID-19 vaccine for the new school year. However, the department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommend everyone 5 years old and older “receive their COVID-19 vaccination to protect themselves and others during the ongoing pandemic. Being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to stay healthy and keep those around you healthy too.”
South Carolina state law requires a valid Certificate of Immunization or valid exemption. Children without a valid certificate or exemption will not be allowed to attend school. Failure to comply with this law may result in audits and or legal action.
“Vaccinations are an important part of a normal preventive health regimen,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC Public Health Director. “Keeping our children current on vaccinations for chicken pox, whooping cough, mumps and measles are why we’re able to safely send them to school settings with little risk of exposure to these vaccine-preventable diseases.” Here are valid exemptions to vaccination under South Carolina law.
Medical Exemption: The Medical Exemption section of the SC Certificate of Immunization should only be completed when a child has a permanent or temporary medical reason for exclusion from receipt of vaccine(s). The Medical Exemption section must be completed by a licensed physician or his or her authorized representative, such as a physician’s assistant or advanced practice registered nurse. For temporary medical exemptions, an expiration date in the future should be documented when next immunizations are due.
Religious Exemption: A religious exemption may be granted to any student whose parent or guardian signs the appropriate section of the South Carolina Certificate of Religious Exemption stating that one or more immunizations conflicts with their religious beliefs. The South Carolina Certificate of Religious Exemption can only be obtained from a DHEC health department. The parent or guardian must sign the DHEC form in the presence of a notary.
Special Exemption: A SC Certificate of Special Exemption may be issued by the school to a student that has been unable to secure immunizations or documentation of immunizations already received. This exemption is only valid for 30 calendar days for the current enrollment and may be issued only once.
Appointment slots typically fill up quickly in August, so now is the time to call your health care provider to schedule a well visit and make sure your child is up to date on required and recommended vaccinations. Appointments for certain vaccines, including for flu, pneumonia, and tetanus, can also be made at one of DHEC’s county health departments. Visit scdhec.gov/healthclinics or call DHEC’s Care Line at 1-855-472-3432 to make an appointment.
Here are the rest of South Carolina’s immunization requirements for the 2022-23 school year.
Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis — Grades 5-12
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. Refer to the currently published ACIP Catch Up Schedule for guidance on recommendations for students who are behind. For children 7 years of age and older following a catch-up schedule, three doses may be acceptable.
Tdap booster — Grades 7-12
One dose of Tdap vaccine. This dose of Tdap may be included as one of the doses needed to meet the requirement for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis. To meet the school requirement for Tdap, the vaccine must be given on or after the child’s 10th birthday.
Polio — Grades 5-10
Three doses of oral and or inactivated polio vaccine with at least one dose received on or after the fourth birthday.
Polio — Grades 11-12
Three doses of oral and or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) with at least one dose received on or after the fourth birthday or four four doses of oral and or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) before fourth birthday (if all doses separated by at least 4 weeks.) Follow CDC recommendations for students 18 years of age and older.
Measles, mumps and rubella — Grades 5-12
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 5-2
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 5-12
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 — Grades 5-8
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.
Varicella — Grades 9-12
One dose of varicella vaccine received on or after the first birthday or positive history of disease.
