Medical Countermeasures

Medical Countermeasures

In emergencies such as bioterrorist attacks, large scale infectious disease outbreaks, or pandemics, large numbers of people may be exposed to disease-causing agents. Medical countermeasures (MCMs) are medicines (i.e. antibiotics, antivirals, antitoxins, etc.) that may be given to these exposed people to prevent them from becoming ill. Lives may depend on dispensing MCMs to a large number of people in a short amount of time.

In such an emergency, the Minnesota Department of Health can request large quantities of MCMs from the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). ASPR maintains a large cache of MCMs called the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), which can be quickly mobilized for emergency distribution. MDH then works with local health departments (LHDs) and the University of Minnesota to dispense the MCMs to the public at points of dispensing (POD) sites.

Training

  • We recommend all MRC members become familiar with POD operation and roles by viewing the online training: PODS (Points of Dispensing: Public Health Training for Staff and Volunteers)
  • In person training will be offered for specific staff roles periodically.
  • Just in time training will be provided at the POD prior to each shift. The training will include all the information needed to perform your duties at the POD.