The S.C. Department of Public Health is reminding families to check immunization records and the school exclusion list ahead of the 2026-27 school year.
Based on a release from S.C. Dept. of Public Health.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health is reminding parents to ensure their children are up to date on required vaccines ahead of the 2026-27 school year, according to the department.
Children enrolled in school and childcare must be current on certain vaccinations at the start of each school year or provide an accepted exemption, according to DPH. The department said this protects the health of children, teachers and school staff in group settings.
“During the last school year, South Carolina experienced the largest outbreak of measles this country has seen in 30 years,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, acting DPH director. “Vaccines are a safe and effective way of protecting our children from diseases like measles. If they haven’t already, we encourage parents to talk to their child’s pediatrician about required and recommended vaccinations to ensure their children are up to date ahead of the upcoming school year.”
Depending on grade level, students in 5K through 12th grade in public and private schools must be up to date on vaccines including Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, DTaP, polio, measles-mumps-rubella, varicella and a Tdap booster required before seventh grade, according to DPH.
Parents can access immunization records online through the SIMON portal on DPH’s website, the department said. Immunization appointments are available at many county health departments by calling 1-855-472-3432 or through the department’s online Web Chat, and many pharmacies also offer immunizations, according to DPH. The Vaccines for Children Program offers no-cost vaccines for eligible children, including those who are uninsured or underinsured, through DPH’s Find a VFC Provider tool.
DPH also publishes an annual School and Childcare Exclusion List explaining how long ill children and staff should stay home and what is required before returning, according to the department.
“The beginning of the school year is also a great time for parents to talk with their kids about other measures that can help keep themselves and others healthy,” Traxler said. “We encourage parents to remind their kids that covering coughs and sneezes and frequent hand washing can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.”
DPH encourages people to speak with their health care provider to evaluate the risks and benefits of vaccination, according to the department.
