Prisma Health to Bar Children From Hospital Visits
Visitors aged 15 and younger will be restricted at Prisma Health's South Carolina hospitals starting Tuesday, November 10, amid rising flu activity.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Children’s Health
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Prisma Health will restrict anyone age 15 and younger from visiting hospitalized patients in its South Carolina hospitals beginning Tuesday, November 10. The temporary restriction responds to increasing community influenza and other respiratory illnesses.
Why it matters
The restriction is intended to help protect patients and team members during higher-than-normal flu infection rates. Normal visitation guidelines will resume once community illness levels subside.
The restriction applies to anyone 15 years old and younger, while CDC guidance recommends flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. The announcement does not state when community flu levels are expected to decline enough to lift the restriction.
The players
Prisma Health
Prisma Health is a major health system operating hospitals across South Carolina.
The details
Prisma Health routinely adjusts visitation guidelines during periods of higher flu activity. Exceptions may be allowed in certain circumstances, such as the imminent death of a loved one, and visitors who feel sick are asked not to visit while all visitors are encouraged to wear masks.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 10: Visitor restriction for children aged 15 and younger takes effect at Prisma Health's South Carolina hospitals.
Health Landscape
The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, a broad population-level target. Prisma Health's restriction reflects how hospitals respond to seasonal flu surges by limiting exposure risk to vulnerable patients.
Families with children aged 15 and younger will be unable to visit hospitalized relatives at Prisma Health's South Carolina hospitals starting November 10. Visitors who are sick should stay home, and masks are recommended for all visitors during the restriction.
The takeaway
Families planning hospital visits this flu season should check visitor rules before going. Staying home when sick and wearing a mask protects vulnerable patients.
What happens next
Normal visitation guidelines will resume once community illness levels subside, though no date for that change has been announced.
Further reading
Explore more on Children's Health for context on how seasonal illness affects young patients and families.
More information
Find details on the Prisma Health urgent care network for care options during the flu season.
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Have you gotten your flu vaccine this season?
