What Vaccines Are Required For School?
Whether you’re preparing your child for the first day of Kindergarten or Googling “doctor near me” for your middle schooler’s sport exam, it’s important to be aware of the vaccinations required for school in South Carolina. The state made some changes for the 2018-2019 school year, so parents should be ready to meet those expectations. If you prefer your child not receive the standard immunizations from a primary care doctor, there is a way to apply for exemption.
Immunizations Required For Day Care In South Carolina
The Department of Health and Environmental Control says all children enrolled in a day care for 4K programs and younger must have the following shots:
- Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis: Four doses of any combination of DTP, DT, or DTaP vaccine
- Polio: Three doses of any combination of oral or inactivated polio vaccine
- Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib): Current, age-appropriate Haemophilus influenzae Type b conjugate vaccination according to the currently published immunization schedule. For children 15-59 months of age who have not yet completed age appropriate Hib vaccination, one dose of Haemophilus influenzae Type b vaccine at or after 15 months of age is required. Hib vaccine is not required for children 5 years of age and older.
- Rubeola (Measles): One dose of rubeola (Measles) vaccine received on or after the first birthday
- Rubella (German Measles): One dose of rubella (German Measles) vaccine received on or after the first birthday
- Mumps: One dose of mumps vaccine received on or after the first birthday
- Hepatitis B: Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine with the third dose received >24 weeks of age and at least 16 weeks after the first dose. Your primary care doctor will space these visits out appropriately.
- Varicella: One dose of varicella vaccine received on or after the first birthday or positive history of disease
- Pneumococcal: Current, age-appropriate pneumococcal vaccination according to the currently published immunization schedule. For children aged 24-59 months who have not yet completed any age-appropriate pneumococcal vaccination schedule (PCV7 or PCV13), one dose of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on or after the 2nd birthday is required. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is not required for children 5 years of age and older.
Immunizations Required For School In South Carolina
The Department of Health and Environmental Control says all children enrolled in public, private, or parochial school, grades five-year-old kindergarten through twelve must receive the below immunization requirements from a pediatrician or other primary physician:
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- Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis: Required for grades 5K-12. Four doses of any combination of DTP, DT, or DTaP vaccine. One dose received on or after the fourth birthday.
- Tdap Booster: Required for grades 7-12. One dose of Tdap vaccine received on or after the 7th birthday. If necessary, this dose of Tdap may be included as one of the doses needed to meet the requirement for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis noted above
- Polio
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- 5k-6: Three doses of oral and/or inactivated polio vaccine with at least one dose received on or after the fourth birthday
- 7-12: Three doses of oral and/or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) with at least one dose received on or after the 4th birthday or four doses of oral and/or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) before 4th birthday (if all doses separated by at least 4 weeks). Follow CDC recommendations for students 18 years of age and older.
- Rubeola (Measles): Required for grades 5K-12. Two doses of rubeola (Measles) vaccine received on or after the first birthday and separated by at least 4 weeks
- Rubella (German Measles): Required for grades 5K-12. One dose of rubella (German Measles) vaccine received on or after the first birthday
- Mumps: Required for grades 5K-12. One dose of mumps vaccine received on or after the first birthday
- Hepatitis B: Required for grades 5K-12. Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine with the third dose received >24 weeks of age and at least 16 weeks after the first dose
- Varicella
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- 5K – 4: Two doses of varicella vaccine with both doses received on or after the first birthday and separated by at least 4 weeks or a positive history of disease.
- 5-12: One dose of varicella vaccine received on or after the first birthday or positive history of disease
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Exemptions To Vaccinations In Children
The State of South Carolina offers three exemption options.
- Medical Exemption: This is the only exemption a private care doctor can approve. Medical exemption is when certain vaccines cannot be administered due to medical reasons.
- Religious Exemption: A SC Certificate of Religious Exemption (DHEC 1126) is issued by a DHEC Health Department. The parent or guardian must sign the DHEC form in the presence of a notary. Your pediatric care doctor does not have to sign this form.
- Special Exemption: A SC Certificate of Special Exemption (DHEC 1123) may be issued by the school to a student that has been unable to secure immunizations from a primary care physician 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.
If you have further questions about your child’s immunization records or requirements, DHEC has a number of online resources, or speak with one of our CareTeam family doctors and staff.
