Local expert discusses required vaccinations for students as new school year arrives
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — The first day of school has arrived or is just around the corner for students across the Midlands.
As parents and students check off their lists of needed school supplies, the SC Department of Public Health has also announced a list of vaccination requirements that went into effect on July 1st for certain grade levels.
Dr. Christina Cox is a Clinical Associate Professor for the University of South Carolina’s College of Pharmacy and says state law requires students to receive certain immunizations unless they have a valid medical or religious exemption.
“For 4th graders — students going into the 4th grade — they will need at least 2 doses of the Hepatitis-A vaccine. Those going into the 9th grade will need at least one dose of the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine.
Better known as whooping cough, Dr. Cox says cases of pertussis are on the rise.
“So that’s one that we really want to encourage kids to get before going back to school. For those going into the 10th grade, 2 doses of the varicella or the chicken pox vaccine is also recommended or required to go back to school. However, those who have already had the chickenpox are considered immune so they would not need that additional vaccine. For those going into the 12th grade, they do need to have had three doses of the polio vaccine as well, and again, if they’re on track with their childhood immunizations schedules, they should have had those already as well,” she says.
According to the SC Department of Public Health, student immunizations throughout the Midlands continue to fall from pre-pandemic levels. However, overall numbers remain high — with around 94% of Midlands students having taken all of their required vaccines.
Dr. Cox says think of vaccines as armor for kids — helping to protect them from an array of dangerous diseases.
“Getting these vaccines allows them to stay in school and have all those fun experiences,” she says.
She also says immunizations for Covid and influenza are not required but are recommended and encouraged.
