Medical Countermeasures (MCM) assumes a proactive, preventive approach to protect service members and their families who may be stationed or deployed in areas at elevated risk to both naturally occurring and manufactured emerging infectious diseases. MCM develops clinical use guidelines for vaccines, diagnostics and antiviral policies that protect the military, civilian personnel and beneficiaries to preserve U.S. combat capabilities and readiness. They also contribute to U.S. government-wide efforts to save lives reduce human suffering and slow the spread of infection.
This includes managing and updating vaccine use policies to counter infectious disease threats such as smallpox and anthrax, and ensuring the safest and most effective preventive measures are in place to address adenovirus-associated illness and unique regional illnesses such as malaria, Japanese Encephalitis and leishmaniasis.
MCM interacts with DoD’s Chemical and Biological Defense Program, to assist in the following:
- Development of medical countermeasure requirements
- Acquisition processes
- New product evaluations
- Determination of appropriate stockpiling
MCM ensures that safe, effective medicines are in place and available when needed.