Flu deaths rising in SC. Is it too late to get a flu shot for this season? What experts say
Seven people have died this year in South Carolina from the flu. Lab-confirmed tests have soared as have hospitalizations.
It’s not too late to get the flu vaccine.
Nearly half of South Carolina counties, including Richland and Lexington reported the number of cases above the state baseline; a handful were below.
There have been 742 cases so far in the 2025-26 year, compared to 379 in all of 2024-25, according to the Flu Watch report at the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
The department said one person in the Midlands, Upstate and Lowcountry have died of the complications from the flu this year and four in the Pee Dee. One of them died the week before Christmas.
“Regrettably, a person from the Lowcountry region has died from the flu, becoming our first confirmed influenza-associated death of the season that officially started Sept. 28,” said Dr. Linda Bell, State Epidemiologist and director of DPH’s Health Programs Branch.
Nationwide, 1,900 people have died from the flu, 49,000 hospitalized and 4.6 million have become ill, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Various hospital systems, including Prisma Health, restricted anyone age 15 and younger from visiting hospitalized patients in its hospitals as of Tuesday.
“The temporary visitor restriction is needed to help protect patients and team members during this time of higher-than-normal flu infection rates,” said Sandy Dees, a spokesperson for Prisma. “The measure will also help protect vulnerable patients from infection by measles, which is still surging in the Upstate.”
Exceptions may be allowed for circumstances such as the imminent death of a loved one, she added.
“It is important to note that it takes up to two weeks after vaccination to be fully protected,” The S.C. Department of Public Health said in an email.
DPH recommends that everyone 6 months old and older get the flu vaccine.
Vaccines are available in health care provider offices, clinics, workplaces, pharmacies and DPH health departments.
The cost of the vaccine at pharmacies depends on insurance coverage. Most health insurance plans cover the flu vaccine with no or a low copay. Here’s how to find a local pharmacy that provides vaccines.
Low or no-cost flu vaccines offered at DPH health department clinics are available by appointment. To make an appointment, call (855) 472-3432 or schedule online using Web Chat.
Those at high risk of getting the flu are young children, pregnant women, people 65 and older, and those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart or lung disease.
“However, healthy people also can have serious complications from the flu,” Bell said.
In past years, about 20% of SC residents get the flu vaccine, health officials said.
The department said frequent handwashing, and staying home or away from others while sick are the only other ways to fend off the flu.
This story was originally published December 31, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Flu deaths rising in SC. Is it too late to get a flu shot for this season? What experts say."