(A) During a state of public health emergency, DHEC may exercise the following emergency powers, in addition to its existing powers, over persons as necessary to address the public health emergency:
(1) to vaccinate persons as protection against infectious disease and to prevent the spread of contagious or possibly contagious disease;
(2) to treat persons exposed to or infected with disease; and
(3) to prevent the spread of contagious or possibly contagious disease, DHEC may isolate or quarantine, pursuant to the applicable sections of this act, persons who are unable or unwilling for any reason (including, but not limited to, health, religion, or conscience) to undergo vaccination or treatment pursuant to this section.
(B) Vaccinations or treatment, or both, must be provided only to those individuals who agree to the vaccinations or treatment, or both.
(C)(1) Vaccination may be performed by any qualified person authorized by DHEC.
(2) To be administered pursuant to this section, a vaccine must not be such as is reasonably likely to lead to serious harm to the affected individual.
(D)(1) Treatment must be administered by any qualified person authorized to do so by DHEC.
(2) Treatment must not be such as is reasonably likely to lead to serious harm to the affected individual.
HISTORY: 2002 Act No. 339, Section 24, eff July 2, 2002.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 4 - Emergency Health Powers
Section 44-4-100. Short title.
Section 44-4-110. Legislative findings and intent.
Section 44-4-130. Definitions.
Section 44-4-300. Powers over dangerous facilities and materials.
Section 44-4-310. Use of health care facility or services in response to public health emergency.
Section 44-4-320. Powers and duties regarding safe disposal of human remains.
Section 44-4-340. Destruction of property; civil proceedings.
Section 44-4-500. Control and treatment of infectious disease.
Section 44-4-520. Vaccinations and treatment.
Section 44-4-530. Isolation and quarantine of individuals or groups; penalty for noncompliance.
Section 44-4-540. Isolation and quarantine procedures; order to show cause for not releasing.
Section 44-4-550. Specimen collection and testing.
Section 44-4-560. Access to protected health information; disclosure.