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Vaccine Exemptions in South Carolina

In South Carolina, there are three types of immunization exemptions for children enrolling in daycare or K-12 school. Below is a breakdown with references.

  1. Medical Exemption
    • A licensed physician (or authorized representative) may determine that a particular vaccine is not advisable for a child for medical reasons.
    • The physician must complete and sign the state’s “Certificate of Immunization” indicating the exemption, and must state whether it’s temporary or permanent.
    • It applies to the required vaccinations for daycare or school attendance under the regulation.
  2. Religious Exemption
    • Parents or guardians may obtain a “Certificate of Religious Exemption” if immunizations conflict with their religious beliefs.
    • The form must be signed and notarized (in the case of the religious exemption form per the state’s site) by the parent/guardian.
    • The exemption form is obtained through the local health department.
  3. Special/Transfer Exemption
    • A “Certificate of Special Exemption” may be issued once by a school principal or authorized representative when transfer students or students waiting on vaccination records are enrolled.
    • This special exemption is valid for only 30 days from enrollment, during which the student must present either a valid Certificate of Immunization, religious exemption, or medical exemption.

❗ Important Additional Notes

  • The law states that personal belief/philosophical exemptions (i.e., non-religious, non-medical) are not permitted in South Carolina for school/daycare immunization requirements.
  • These exemptions apply to students in childcare and K-12 settings. They do not automatically apply to adult vaccine requirements or employment vaccine mandates.
  • Even if a religious or medical exemption is granted, if there is a disease outbreak in the school or daycare setting, the child with the exemption may be excluded from attendance until it’s safe to return.

📜 Legal/Regulatory References

  • South Carolina regulation: S.C. Code Regs. ch. 61, 61-8 (“Immunization Requirements for School and Childcare Attendance”) spells out the exemptions: medical, religious, special.
  • State statute: S.C. Code Ann. § 44-29-180 (“School pupils and day care center children to be vaccinated or immunized; department to monitor …; exemptions and exclusions”) provides for the monitoring and exemptions in the law.
  • The state public health department (South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control) website clearly states: “Medical and religious exemptions are the only available immunization exemptions in South Carolina.”

1. Religious Exemption

Form name: “South Carolina Certificate of Religious Exemption”
Where to get it: From your local county health department (in person or via SCDHEC “Applications & Forms” website).
Languages available: English, Español, Русский, українська.
Steps:

  1. Download or pick up the form from your local public health department.
  2. Complete the pupil / child information section (name, date of birth, school/childcare facility, etc.).
  3. Parent/guardian (or person in loco parentis) must sign the form declaring that one or more required immunizations conflict with their sincere religious beliefs.
  4. The signature must be notarized by a Notary Public in South Carolina.
  5. Submit the completed form to the child’s school or childcare facility, who will keep it on file.
  6. Note: If there is a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak at the school or facility, a student with a religious exemption may be excluded for protection.

2. Medical Exemption

Form name: Integrated with the standard “South Carolina Certificate of Immunization” where there is a section for “Medical Exemption”.
Where to get it: The Certificate of Immunization form is available via SCDHEC and through your healthcare provider or local health department.
Steps:

  1. Obtain the Certificate of Immunization form from a licensed physician or authorized representative or your local health department.
  2. The physician (or authorized representative) must determine that a required vaccine is not advisable for medical reasons in that child.
  3. On the form, the physician completes the medical exemption section, indicating whether the exemption is temporary or permanent.
  4. Submit that form to the school or childcare facility. If the exemption is temporary, the form must be updated when the period ends and required vaccines administered.

3. Special Exemption (Temporary/Transfer)

Form name: “South Carolina Certificate of Special Exemption”
Where to get it: Issued by the school principal, authorized school representative, or childcare director when a student is awaiting transfer of records or immunizations.
Steps:

  1. If a child is transferring into a South Carolina school/childcare and does not yet have immunization records (or is missing required vaccines/documentation), the school can issue the Special Exemption form.
  2. The form is valid for 30 days only.
  3. Within that 30-day period, the child must present either: a valid Certificate of Immunization, or a valid medical or religious exemption.

🔍 Important Notes

  • These exemptions apply only for school-age children (childcare through K-12). They do not automatically apply to adult vaccine mandates or employment vaccination requirements.
  • South Carolina does not allow “personal belief” or philosophical exemptions—only medical and religious exemptions are permitted.
  • It’s recommended to contact your local county health department for the exact form version and any local requirements.

Here are links to download the official PDFs for the required exemption/imm­unization forms in South Carolina: