In recent years, South Carolina has witnessed a troubling trend: a significant increase in vaccine-preventable diseases coinciding with a decline in childhood vaccinations. Not only has there been a resurgence of measles, but cases of whooping cough and chickenpox are also on the rise, prompting concern among health officials. These outbreaks are primarily concentrated in the Upstate region, though reports have emerged from Lexington and Richland counties as well.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health has reported that only 91% of students statewide are up to date with their vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. Louis Eubank, the director of the Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Emergency Preparation and Response, emphasized that the decline in vaccination rates directly correlates with an increase in the incidence of diseases that these vaccines can prevent. “Declining vaccination rates mean a rise in rates of the potentially preventable diseases they protect against, like measles, and the possible complications, from minor to severe, that they can cause,” Eubank stated.
This public health issue not only affects unvaccinated individuals who contract these diseases but also poses a risk to others in the community, particularly those who are unvaccinated or have compromised immune systems.
The number of exemptions from mandatory vaccinations for school attendance has not rebounded since the significant drop during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21. Current state health data indicates that Fairfield, Spartanburg, and Richland counties have the lowest vaccination rates, hovering around 90%. Ideally, health officials advocate for a target vaccination rate of 95% to ensure herd immunity. In contrast, counties like Allendale, Dillon, and Clarendon boast vaccination rates of 98%.
This week, health officials announced a measles outbreak in Upstate South Carolina, with confirmed cases in two schools in Spartanburg County. One additional case was reported in Greenville County. According to Dr. Linda Bell, the state epidemiologist, 11 cases of measles have been reported this year, all affecting unvaccinated individuals. While some cases are linked to travel or known contacts, the source of other infections remains unidentified, indicating community spread.
Dr. Bell noted that exposure to the measles virus results in a 90% infection rate among unvaccinated individuals. Symptoms typically begin with a high fever, cough, and runny nose, followed by a characteristic red rash that spreads from the face to the rest of the body within four days.
In Spartanburg County, cases have been reported at Global Academy of South Carolina, a public charter school, and Fairforest Elementary, with three cases documented. Students who were exposed have been excluded from attending school to prevent further spread. Earlier this year, Wellford Academy of Science and Technology also reported a chickenpox outbreak, with at least four students diagnosed, leading to a month-long exclusion from school.
In addition to the measles outbreak, South Carolina has seen a rise in whooping cough cases, particularly in Spartanburg County. Between January 1 and July 30, 2025, there were 183 confirmed cases statewide, with 45 of those originating from Spartanburg County. This marks a significant increase from the 147 cases reported during the same period last year. Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can lead to severe coughing fits, often described as a “whoop” sound at the end of an attack.
Chickenpox also remains a concern, causing blister-like lesions that can spread over the entire body. Complications can arise in one in ten children, including infections, dehydration, asthma attacks, or pneumonia. Most chickenpox cases occur in children under the age of 15.
The recent outbreaks of measles, chickenpox, and whooping cough underscore the critical importance of maintaining high vaccination rates among children. These diseases are easily spread through the air via coughing or sneezing, making community immunity essential for protecting public health. As South Carolina faces these challenges, the call for increased awareness and adherence to vaccination schedules has never been more urgent.
