Medical countermeasures (MCMs), such as vaccines, antiviral drugs, antibiotics, antitoxins, and chemical antidotes, are used to efficiently prevent, mitigate, or treat adverse health effects of an intentional, accidental, or naturally occurring public health emergency.

A local health department’s Medical Countermeasures (MCM) Coordinator plays an integral role in ensuring their organization has the capability to respond to any emergency requiring the dispensing of MCM. Natural disasters, infectious diseases, and the threat of bioterrorism challenge public health’s capacity to swiftly respond using quality, proven plans. Because the role of the MCM Coordinator is a daunting job for anyone—but especially a new coordinator—NACCHO developed a New Medical Countermeasures Coordinator Start-Up Guide.

Expert MCM Coordinators, members of NACCHO’s MCM workgroup, have collaborated to create this guide to outline key terms, activities, partnerships, and resources to assist new MCM Coordinators in building competency in providing MCM during public health emergencies.