Exercise to Provide Emergency Medication
The New Mexico Department of Health is working on an exercise to meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to ensure New Mexico is prepared to respond to a public health emergency.
The main portion of the exercise will take place at UNM’s Johnson Center on Wednesday, March 18 and will showcase the process for a Point of Dispensing (POD). PODs are used when there is a need to provide prophylaxis (emergency medication) to a large group of people due to an immediate public health risk. There are two types of PODs: an open POD is for the general public; a closed POD is for a specific group of individuals, such as employees of a particular company or university.
The exercise will focus on a closed POD. Media is invited to get pictures and video from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 at UNM’s Johnson Center.
Exercises are an important part of public health preparedness as they help identify strengths and areas for improvement. Exercises also allow an opportunity to practice plans and procedures in place to protect New Mexico for a potential public health risk.
The Department is partnering with the University of New Mexico, the University of New Mexico Hospital, the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the City Readiness Initiative Partners for this exercise. The City Readiness Initiative partners include the City of Albuquerque, City of Rio Rancho, Bernalillo County, Sandoval County, Torrance County, Valencia County, Cochiti Pueblo, Isleta Pueblo, Jemez Pueblo, Pueblo of Sandia, San Felipe Pueblo, Santa Ana Pueblo, Santo Domingo Pueblo, and Zia Pueblo.
Media Contact
We would be happy to provide additional information about this press release. Simply contact Kenny Vigil at 505-841-5871 (Office) or 505-470-2290 (Mobile) with your questions.
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