DPH reminds parents to get children vaccinated ahead of upcoming school year
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reminding parents to make sure their children are up-to-date on all required vaccines before the upcoming school year.
Also, DPH is reminding parents to keep themselves updated with the School and Childcare Exclusion List.
DPH says children enrolled in school and childcare are required to be current on certain vaccinations at the start of each school year.
Getting the vaccine helps the health of children, teachers and school staff who are in group settings every day, as vaccines are one of the most-successful public health interventions for reducing disease spread and safeguarding against vaccine-preventable illnesses and complications, according to DPH.
“Vaccines are a safe and effective way of protecting our children from diseases like chicken pox, whooping cough, mumps and measles,” says Dr. Brannon Traxler, DPH Deputy Director for Health Promotion and Services and Chief Medical Officer.
Current vaccination requirements for the 2024-25 school year are available on the DPH website. Updates for this school year include:
- Fourth graders are required to have two doses of hepatitis A vaccine with both doses received on or after the first birthday and separated by at least six months.
- Ninth graders are now required to have one dose of Tdap vaccine on or after their 10th birthday.
- 10th graders are now required to have two doses of varicella. A child with a positive history of the disease is considered immune and is exempt from this requirement.
- 12th graders are now required to have three doses of oral and/or inactivated polio vaccine with at least one dose received on or after the 4th birthday.
During the past school year, there were 294 outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases reported from school and childcare settings, 290 of which were due to COVID-19 or influenza, says DPH.
To find a vaccine provider near you, visit DPH’s Find a Vaccines for Children Provider tool. Appointments for immunizations can also be made at many of DPH’s county health departments by calling 1-855-472-3432 or online using Web Chat.
“Appointment slots will fill up quickly before the school year starts, so parents are urged to schedule an appointment as early as possible to ensure your child is up to date on required and recommended vaccinations and they don’t miss school for not meeting requirements,” continues Dr. Traxler.
