Excellence in Protection

Strategic Health Roadmap for Florence County, SC

The Current Landscape

Florence County is a regional leader in public health, maintaining a robust 96.9% student immunization rate. Notably, the county has seen an upward trend from 95.8% in 2021-2022, strengthening its position above the herd immunity threshold. While success is evident, religious exemptions have doubled from 0.7% to 1.5%. With a strong network of 19 VFC providers, Florence is well-positioned to maintain this high standard through continued access and proactive community education.

0% ▲ Immunization Rate
Was 95.8% (21-22)
0% ▲ Religious Exemptions
Was 0.7% (21-22)
0 VFC Providers
Robust Access Network

Strategic Priorities

1. Sustaining High Coverage

Florence's 96.9% rate is a model for the state. Our priority is ensuring that school systems have the continued support to maintain these safety margins.

Maintenance
Provide annual recognition and technical support to school nurses and registrars for high data accuracy and compliance.
2. Addressing Early Hesitancy

The doubling of religious exemptions indicates a subtle shift. Science-based facts provided during early childhood are critical.

Education
Work with the 19 local VFC providers to ensure parents receive factual, accessible vaccine information during infant wellness checks.
3. Maximizing the Provider Network

With 19 providers, access is a significant strength. Our goal is ensuring families in rural Florence County can easily find these locations.

Access
Create and distribute a "Florence VFC Map" to community centers and through school enrollment portals.
4. Driving Policy Change

Sustainable improvement requires a supportive policy environment that prioritizes student health.

Advocacy
Provide policy analysis on vaccine requirements and encourage advocacy.
Turn data into action—connect with your lawmakers and help shape policies that protect your community.
Contact State Elected Officials Contact School Board Officials