South Carolina faces the nation’s worst measles outbreak, with the Department of Public Health confirming 646 cases, mostly tied to Upstate schools with low vaccination rates. Lowcountry districts like Charleston County anticipate local spread soon, prompting proactive measures including family notifications, staff education, and school-based vaccinations.
School Protocols
Charleston County School District monitors unvaccinated students closely, ready to exclude them immediately upon exposure per state health guidelines, allowing return within 72 hours post-vaccination. Protocols emphasize symptom awareness among nurses to isolate cases swiftly and limit transmission.​
Vaccination Rates
Herd immunity requires 95% MMR coverage, yet Charleston (92%) and Berkeley (93.5%) counties lag below this threshold, while Dorchester hits 95.1% and higher rates appear in Georgetown (95.8%), Colleton (96.6%), and Williamsburg (97.4%). District leaders stress boosting coverage to avert outbreaks.
