South Carolina school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · SC
Last updated: 2026-11-01
💉 Vaccination Schedule
2 months
4 months
6 months
May be given at 6–18 months
(opens in a new tab) 💉 Hib Dose 3Depending on product
(opens in a new tab) 💉 PCV (Pneumococcal) Dose 3 (opens in a new tab) 💉 Rotavirus Dose 3Depending on product
(opens in a new tab) 💉 Hepatitis B Dose 36–18 months
(opens in a new tab) 💉 Influenza AnnualFrom 6 months annually
(opens in a new tab) 💉 COVID-19 Per current guidanceFrom 6 months
(opens in a new tab)12–15 months
15–18 months
4–6 years
11–12 years
🏫 School & Institutional Requirements
▶ 🏫 Public Schools (K–12)
South Carolina Code §44-29-180 and Regulation 61-8 require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grades 7-12), and Hepatitis A (K-12, phased in by county). Meningococcal required at grade 7.
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
South Carolina's immunization requirements apply to all schools. Private schools must maintain immunization records per SCDHEC Regulation 61-8.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A (age-appropriate) per SCDSS child-care regulations.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education institutions require MMR (2 doses). Meningococcal vaccine recommended.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
South Carolina healthcare facilities follow CDC guidelines. Hepatitis B per OSHA. Influenza recommended.
📊 Required Vaccines by Setting
| DTaP / Tdap | ✓ | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Hepatitis A | ✓ | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Hepatitis B | ✓ | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Hib | — | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Influenza | — | — | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Meningococcal | ✓ | — | ✓ | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| MMR | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| PCV (Pneumococcal) | — | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Polio (IPV) | ✓ | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Varicella | ✓ | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
📝 Vaccine Exemptions
🏥 Medical
AvailableFor medical contraindications
Documentation: Submit the South Carolina Certificate of Immunization, with the medical exemption completed by an individual licensed to practice medicine, surgery, or osteopathy or his/her representative, to the school.
Renewal: According to physician's determination.
Approving authority: Individual licensed to practice medicine, surgery, or osteopathy, or his/her representative
🔗 SC DPH Exemptions from School Vaccine Requirements → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian must obtain the South Carolina Certificate of Religious Exemption from the health department, in person or online, sign it, have it notarized, and submit it to the school.
Renewal: Not stated in the official sources we read. Check each school year and confirm with the school or health department.
Approving authority: Parent/guardian, with notarization; form obtained from the health department
🔗 SC DPH Childhood Vaccine Exemption (online religious exemption form) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
Not AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
South Carolina does not require immunization for homeschool students. Under South Carolina Code §44-29-180, immunization requirements apply to students 'enrolled in any school,' but homeschool programs under the homeschool law (SC Code §59-65-40 through §59-65-47) are not classified as 'schools' for purposes of this statute. The South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS) option has its own policies — check with the association.
Reporting
No immunization reporting required for Option 1 (local school district) or Option 3 (SCAIHS) homeschool families, though SCAIHS has internal policies that members should review. Option 2 (SC Association of Independent Home Schools) may have additional requirements.
Exemptions
Not applicable — homeschool students under Option 1 or Option 3 are exempt. South Carolina allows medical and religious exemptions for school-attending students.
Notes
South Carolina's three-option homeschool framework creates complexity. Options 1 and 3 do not require immunization. Option 2 (independent homeschool associations) may have their own policies.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
South Carolina immunization data added to Parent Decision Center.
🔬 Related Vaccine Evidence Pages
Each card links to the full VaccineDataNavigator evidence page — including clinical trials, data, pharmacovigilance, ingredients, and references.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
▶ What vaccines are required for kindergarten and school in South Carolina?
South Carolina Code §44-29-180 and Regulation 61-8 require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), Tdap (grades 7-12), and Hepatitis A (K-12, phased in by county). Meningococcal required at grade 7. Source: South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control.
▶ What vaccines does South Carolina require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A (age-appropriate) per SCDSS child-care regulations.
▶ Does South Carolina allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
South Carolina allows medical and religious exemptions; personal-belief exemptions are not available. The Certificate of Religious Exemption is obtained from the health department, in person or online, and must be notarized.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in South Carolina?
Medical: Submit the South Carolina Certificate of Immunization, with the medical exemption completed by an individual licensed to practice medicine, surgery, or osteopathy or his/her representative, to the school. Religious: Parent/guardian must obtain the South Carolina Certificate of Religious Exemption from the health department, in person or online, sign it, have it notarized, and submit it to the school. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in South Carolina?
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education institutions require MMR (2 doses). Meningococcal vaccine recommended.