Medical Countermeasures

In emergencies such as terrorist attacks or pandemics, large numbers of people may be exposed to disease-causing germs. 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, MDH 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) to dispense the MCMs to the public at points of dispensing (POD) sites.

Organizations (i.e. businesses, hospitals, communities of worship, etc.) may choose to enroll as “closed” point of dispensing (CPOD) partners. CPODs dispense medication to their own members and their families. CPODs are mutually beneficial to partner organizations and to local health departments. Contact your community health board (CHB) or LHD to learn how your organization can become a CPOD partner.

Points of Dispensing (PODs)

• POD PreCheck
  Online screening form people may complete during an anthrax emergency.
  
  
• POD Locator
  During an emergency, find the POD site nearest to you.
  
  
• POD Admin
  QR Code generator for POD staff.
  
  
• Closed Points of Dispensing
  Find out more about how your organization can become a CPOD partner.
  
  
• Bioterrorism Diseases
  Information on bioterrorism agents.
  
  
• Training Courses
  Search MN.TRAIN for "Mass Dispensing" or "Closed POD".
  
  
• CDC ASPR Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Program
  Information, training, newsletters, and more about the CDC's SNS program.
  • SNS CHEMPACK Program
    Places federally owned and maintained antidote assets in all 50 states across the nation.
  • Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management
    U.S. Health and Human Services resources for first responders, first receivers, healthcare providers, and planners for chemical incidents.
    
  
  

Working with Pharmacies

• Pharmacy Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
  Helping pharmacies have appropriate access to vaccine, information, and supplies.