D. Erickson
Resource: WLTX.com
Photo: WLTX.com/Twitter
With the 2023-2024 school year fast approaching, students in school and childcare must be immunized against childhood illnesses. SCDHEC wants to make clear the requirements for these immunizations. Measles and chicken pox designated infectious diseases, spread rapidly among the unvaccinated (particularly children and babies.
Those children who attend a nursery school or preschool program (4K and younger) will be required to be current on the following immunizations based on age:
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• DTaP (tetanus, whooping cough)
• Polio
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Varicella (chicken pox)
• Pneumococcal (pneumonia)
• Haemophilius influenzae Type b (Hib)
Students attending kindergarten through 12th must be current on the following vaccinations based on grade level:
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• DTaP (tetanus, whooping cough)
• Polio
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Varicella (chicken pox)
• Tdap (whooping cough booster required before seventh grade)
Changes in the requirements for the 2023-2024 school year:
• 3rd grade: two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine, with both shots administered on or after the first birthday and separated on or after the first
• 8th grade: one dose of Tdap immunization on or after the 10th birthday
• 9th grade: two doses of varicella unless child has tested positively for chicken pox previously
• 11th grade: three doses of oral or of inactivated polio immunization with one dose received on or before the fourth birthday
• COVID-19 vaccines ARE NOT REQUIRED but are recommended
For more information contact your local health department, call the DHEC Division of Immunizations (1-800-277-4687 or check online regarding the Federal VCF Program.
