What does the Medi​cal Countermeasures (MCM) Strategy Unit do?

 

The MCM Strategy Unit is part of the Office of Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response (OIDPR). The unit supports the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to plan and implement MCM interventions during infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies, including bioterrorism events. ​

The MCM Strategy Unit monitors emerging infectious disease threats. It develops emergency response policies in preparation for potential MCM interventions. ​It also prioritizes health equity and collaboration with critical stakeholders. The MCM Strategy Unit collaborates with other CDPH centers during public health emergency responses. This includes the Center for Infectious Diseases (CID), the Center for Preparedness and Response (CPR), and the Center for Laboratory Sciences (CLS).​

What are medical countermeasures?​

MCM are Food and Drug Administration–regulated products related to pharmaceutical and medical supplies. They are critical for responding effectively to infectious diseases and public health emergencies. They can include diagnostic tests, personal protective equipment (PPE), vaccines treatments such as antimicrobial or antiviral drugs and are used to diagnose or treat infectious diseases and prevent their spread during outbreaks.​

Why?

When infectious disease outbreaks occur, there may be minimal resources available at the start and they can spread quickly. Proactive planning for MCM interventions is essential; it can protect the health, safety and well-being of Californians and helps promote health equity. 

Ongoing and recent CDPH responses that have used MCM interventions include:​

• Avian Influenza A(H5N1)​, or bird flu, response:
  
• Promotion of personal protective equipment (PPE) to farmworkers at-risk for bird flu  
• Provided and distributed PPE educational materials. 
• Developed strategies for PPE and powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) distribution.
• Distributed PPE to eligible groups such as dairy farms, poultry farms and wildlife care organizations: How to Request PPE for Farmworkers to Protect Against Avian Influenza (HPAI H5N1) - also known as Bird Flu
• Organized mobile seasonal flu vaccine clinics and bird flu testing clinics in communities at-risk or affected by bird flu.
  
• COVID-19
  
• CDPH provided increased access to testing resources
• Disseminated and developed COVID-19 testing guidance:
• Helped to create a strategy and disseminate over-the-counter tests.  

For any questions, please reach out to CIDMCM@cdph.ca.gov 

Important Links for our Partners

• Information regarding extension of  oseltamivir (Tamiflu © ) expiration dates from the strategic national stockpile from the Department of Healthcare Services Improving Access to Influenza Countermeasures for U.S. Jurisdictions. 
  
• Information regarding COVID-19 tests expiration extensions US Food and Drug Administration | At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests