Immunization rates are an indicator of whether children are receiving adequate preventive health care.  Children can get their immunizations at the local public health department if they can’t get them in through other healthcare providers.  New vaccines continue to be added to the childhood and adolescent immunization schedule. 

According to analysts at the Immunization Division of SCDHEC, the latest rough estimate for children less than two not fully immunized in South Carolina is 17.5%.  Statewide DHEC birth registry data for two-year-old children show that Spartanburg County children, as compared to children statewide, have a lower rate of full immunization against such preventable diseases as Polio, Measles, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Haemophilus Influenza B and pertussis. 

Of children under age two who are seen in public health clinics, For Spartanburg County, Spartanburg has a significantly higher percentage who are not fully immunized (30.1%) than the state average (14.5%).  Although the state rate is much improved since 1993 (27.3%) , the county rate is not (30.1%). 

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From 1993 to 2003, by county, Richland demonstrated the highest percentage decrease in children under age two not fully immunized who were seen at public health clinics.  Spartanburg demonstrated the lowest percentage decrease, and Charleston demonstrated a significant increase.  Only Richland had a lower percentage of children not fully immunized than the state average in 2003.