With the ongoing spread of measles in the Upstate, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reminding all South Carolinians about the importance of vaccinations to prevent infectious disease.
As of Friday, 156 people have gotten sick in the current outbreak, but state health officials warn that measles isn't the only cause of concern. DPH has identified a concerning uptick in cases of other illnesses like pertussis (whooping cough) and varicella (chicken pox).
DPH reports that in the last five years, the Upstate has experienced 23 outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases: two measles, seven whooping cough, 12 chicken pox, and two influenza type b.
According to DPH, the current measles outbreak is an example of what can happen when vaccination rates fall below the threshold needed to maintain hard immunity, and nearly all of Upstate measles illnesses have been among non-vaccinated individuals.
State health officials note there are simple steps South Carolinians can take to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable infections:
- Review your and your family members’ vaccination records. Vaccine records administered in the state after 2017 can be found here.
- Schedule an appointment with a health care provider to discuss which vaccines are right for you and your family.
- Encourage friends and family to get vaccinated and stay up to date.
- Stay informed by following reliable sources such as the DPH measles webpage and 2025 measles outbreak page.