Medical Countermeasures

About Medical Countermeasures (MCM)

Definitions

Medical Countermeasures (MCM) are the medications (including vaccines, antiviral drugs, or antibiotics) needed to treat, protect or prophylaxis an identified population in accordance with public health guidelines and/or recommendations. Typically, MCM is broken into two parts: distribution and dispensing.

Medical Countermeasures Distribution refers to moving medications and medical supplies where they are needed during an emergency. The process includes requesting, warehousing, and transporting the medical assets. Learn what communities should know about medication distribution during an emergency.

Medical Countermeasures Dispensing refers to providing medications or vaccine to individuals within the affected population. Dispensing is often accomplished by opening and operating a Point of Dispensing (POD).

COVID-19 POD materials

• Infection Prevention for Drive-Thru PODs
• Infection Prevention for Points of Dispensing
• Drive-Thru POD Reference Sheet
• Drive-Thru Vaccine POD Planning Considerations
• Just in Time Training - Job Action Sheets   Spanish | Russian
  
• Closed POD Considerations
  

POD Planning and Operation Resources

• Annex XX - MCMDD Base Plan
• MCM Base Guidance
• POD Signs
  

Closed PODs:

• Closed POD Forms book
  
• Closed POD Overview
• Closed POD Plan Template
• Closed POD Planning Tool
• ReadMeFirst Closed POD

POD Field Operations Guide (FOG):

• Point of Dispensing Field Operations Guide
• Appendix A Standard Operating Procedures (Zip File)
• Appendix B Job Action Sheets (JAS)
• Appendix C Just In Time Training (JITT) (Zip File)
• Appendix D Forms (Zip File)

MCM Resources

• Bioterrorism agent fact sheets
• Bioterrorism frequently asked questions
  
• CHEMPACK Program - The stockpile that may protect you from a chemical attack
• Emergency preparedness / Post-exposure prophylaxis standing orders
• Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and Mass Dispensing Orders
• Public Health MOU
• Shelf Life Extension Program
  
• Vaccine access for people with disabilities