South Carolina Grapples with Measles Outbreak Amid Religious Exemption Debate

Lawmakers consider limiting school access for unvaccinated students as cases surge in the state

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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South Carolina is facing a surge in measles cases, with over 950 confirmed since October. The outbreak has been concentrated in Spartanburg County, where nearly 1 in 10 students have religious exemptions from vaccination requirements. This has prompted a Democratic state senator to propose barring unvaccinated children without medical exemptions from attending public schools and daycares, though the bill currently lacks support. Republican lawmakers have voiced concerns about infringing on "medical freedom" and "religious liberty", while others have suggested providing education funding for families who choose to homeschool unvaccinated children.

Why it matters

The measles outbreak in South Carolina highlights the tensions between public health concerns and individual rights, as the state grapples with balancing the need to protect vulnerable populations and respect religious exemptions to vaccination requirements. The high rate of religious exemptions in certain counties has allowed the measles virus to spread rapidly, raising questions about whether the state should take more aggressive action to limit school and daycare access for unvaccinated students.

The details

Confirmed measles cases in South Carolina have more than doubled since the start of 2026, with the majority concentrated in Spartanburg County. In this county, 9.6% of students have religious exemptions from vaccination requirements, meaning nearly 5,500 students are unvaccinated. This is significantly higher than the 3% religious exemption rate in neighboring Richland and Lexington counties. State Sen. Margie Bright Matthews has proposed legislation to bar unvaccinated children without medical exemptions from attending public schools and daycares, though the bill currently lacks support from other lawmakers. Republican legislators have voiced concerns about infringing on "medical freedom" and "religious liberty", with some suggesting providing education funding for families who choose to homeschool unvaccinated children.

  • Since October 2025, there have been 950 confirmed cases of measles in South Carolina.
  • In January 2026, vaccine rates in Spartanburg County rose 162%.

The players

Margie Bright Matthews

A Democratic state senator who has proposed legislation to bar unvaccinated children without medical exemptions from attending public schools and daycares in South Carolina.

Lee Bright

A Republican state senator who has expressed concerns about "medical freedom" and does not believe the state legislature should be involved in immunization decisions.

Josh Kimbrell

A Republican state senator whose district has been the most impacted by the measles outbreak, and who has encouraged residents to get vaccinated while also balancing "religious liberty" and public safety.

Josiah Magnuson

A Republican state representative who believes the state should continue to "respect" religious exemptions, and has suggested providing tax incentives or grants for people to educate their children outside of public schools if the exemptions are curtailed.

Alan Wilson

The South Carolina Attorney General who has criticized Sen. Matthews' proposal, arguing that eliminating religious exemptions and mandating medical decisions by force is not in line with the state's values.

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What they’re saying

“Eliminating religious exemptions and mandating medical decisions by force is not who we are as a state or country.”

— Alan Wilson, Attorney General (The State)

“I think a lot of people are concerned about medical freedom now. After what we went through with COVID, they don't want to be forced to take vaccines, and I think that's what I'm hearing mostly.”

— Lee Bright, State Senator (The State)

“I don't see there being a role at this point for government to try to stick its nose into it. But again, I think it's something that I am concerned by, and I want us to stay on top of it.”

— Josiah Magnuson, State Representative (The State)

What’s next

The state legislature will likely continue to debate the issue of religious exemptions and potential limits on school access for unvaccinated students as the measles outbreak persists.

The takeaway

The measles outbreak in South Carolina has exposed the complex balance between public health concerns and individual rights, as lawmakers grapple with how to respond to the surge in cases while respecting religious exemptions to vaccination requirements. The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for the state's efforts to control the outbreak and protect vulnerable populations.