Immunization Requirements for the 2023-2024 School Year

Immunizations are an important part of our children’s health care, and South Carolina state law requires that children going to school be vaccinated to prevent vaccine-preventable disease unless they are exempt. All students are required by South Carolina law to provide documentation that includes month, day, and year the vaccine was administered. Doses documented on the immunization certificate must be VALID doses according to accepted practice standards for the minimum age(s) and intervals. If the child is exempt, the parent must provide valid proof of exemption.

Please send proof of immunization to the school nurse where your child will be attending school.  Proof of immunization must be any 1 of the 3 items listed below:

• An immunization certificate signed by your health care provider.
• Immunization registry report from your health care provider or health department.
• A blood test (titer) lab report that proves your child is immune to the diseases.

**For varicella (chickenpox), documentation from your health care provider which says your child had the disease is also acceptable.

Your help in providing updated immunization records at school registration and any time that your child receives additional vaccine(s) is greatly appreciated. If you have questions or concerns about immunizations, please contact the school nurse. 

SC Immunization Requirements 5K-12th Grade (2023-2024)

Diptheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis
Grades 5K - 12: Four (4) doses of any combination of DTP, DT, DTaP, Td, or Tdap vaccine with at least one (1) dose received on or after the fourth birthday 

Tdap Booster
Grades 7 - 8: One (1) 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.

Grades 9-12: One (1) dose of Tdap vaccine.  This dose of Tdap may be included as one of the doses needed to meet the requirement for Diptheria, Tetanus, and Pertusis.  To meet the school requirement for Tdap, the vaccine must be given on or after the child's 7th birthday.  

Polio
Grades 5K - 11: Three (3) doses of oral and/or inactivated Polio vaccine with at least one (1) dose received on or after the fourth birthday 

Grades 12: Three (3) doses of oral and/or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) with at least one (1) dose received on or after the 4th birthday OR four (4) doses of oral and/or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) before 4th birthday (if all doses are separated by at least 4 weeks)

Follow CDC recommendations for students 18 years of age and older.

Rubella (German Measles) & Mumps
Grades 5K - 12: Two (2) doses of MMR vaccine with both doses received on or after the first birthday and separated by at least four weeks

Hepatitis A
Grades 5K - 3:  (2) doses of Hepatitis A vaccine with both doses received on or after the first birthday and separated by at least (6) months

Hepatitis B
Grades 5K - 12: Three (3) 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 5K - 9: Two (2) doses of varicella vaccine with both doses received on or after the first birthday and separated by at least 4 weeks or positive history of the disease.
Grades 10 - 12: One (1) dose of varicella vaccine received on or after the first birthday or positive history of the disease. 

See current immunization requirements for PreK - Grade 12 by clicking here  

Information about required immunizations is available online at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control at www.scdhec.gov

To schedule an appointment for immunizations, contact your primary care provider or call 855.472.3432 to schedule an appointment at either of these SCDHEC clinics:

• Conway Public Health Clinic
  843.915.8800 
  1931 Industrial Park Rd., Conway, SC
  
  
• Myrtle Beach Public Health Clinic
  843.488.8407
  700 21st Ave. N., Myrtle Beach, SC