Frequently Asked Questions
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Do all members of my family have to come to the distribution site to pick up the medicine?
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What happens when I get to the Point of Distribution (POD) site?
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Where does the medicine come from? Is there enough for everyone?
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How long will the medicine last? Do I have to get more later?
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Does the Medical Countermeasures Screening Program store personal or sensitive data?
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What areas are covered by the Medical Countermeasures Screening Program?
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What if I work in the Metro Atlanta, but live elsewhere? Can I pick up the medicine?
ANSWERS TO FAQ'S:
1. What are points of distribution?
A Point of Distribution (POD) is a place where vaccines, antibiotics, and other medications or supplies can be quickly distributed to a large number of people.
2. Will I or my insurance be charged for the medicine?
NO. The medicine is being provided to you and your family free of charge.
3. Why do I have to fill out a screening form?
The form tells us how much medicine your family will need. In addition, some people should take a different medicine because of certain medical conditions. The screening form allows us to provide the best medicine for you and your family, safely, quickly, and efficiently.
4. Do all members of my family have to come to the distribution site to pick up the medicine?
NO. Fill out one form for your whole family and bring it with you to pick up all medicine for your whole family.
5. Where do I pick up the medicine?
You can pick a point of distirbution (POD) site that is convenient for you when you fill out your screening form. You can pick up your medicine near your home or workplace, or somewhere in between that is convenient to you.
6. What happens when I get to the Point of Distribution (POD) site?
If you have filled out the screening form in advance and come to the POD with your voucher, it will save you time and enable you to receive your medicine faster. Upon arrival at the POD, a greeter will ask you whether you have a voucher ready. If you do, you will be directed to the stations where you will show your voucher and receive your medication. If you do not have a voucher, you will be given a form to fill out at the POD, have the form reviewed, and then receive your medicine or be referred for a consultation.
7. Where does the medicine come from? Is there enough for everyone?
Local areas have a supply of medicine on hand for normal and moderate emergencies. However, in the event of a public health emergency, such as a terrorist attack, flu outbreak, earthquake, etc., that is severe enough for local supplies to run out, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response has a Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) of medicine and medical supplies to protect the American public. The SNS will replenish local supplies so that all residents can receive necessary medicine for the emergency.
8. How long will the medicine last? Do I have to get more later?
This information will be specific to the health condition that the medicine was distributed to prevent or treat. Please refer to the documents tab on this site for specific instructions on how long to take the medicine and how to know whether you will need to continue the course of treatment. Information will be provided after you receive your initial dose of medication about what to do next.
9. What if someone in my family reacts badly to the medication?
Please refer to the medication guide on the documents tab for specific adverse reactions to monitor based on the medicine that you received. If your family member is experiencing a mild reaction, consult your health care provider. If the reaction is life threatening, dial 911 immediately for assistance.
10. Does the Medical Countermeasures Screening Program store any personal or sensitive data?
The Medical Countermeasures Screening Program does NOT store personal data. When the person closes the Internet browser, the data is deleted from the screen. If you are using a shared device (tablet, laptop, etc.), click the [CLEAR FORM] button at the bottom of the Consent/Screening form to eliminate any privacy concerns.
11. What areas are covered by the Medical Countermeasures Screening Program?
All 159 counties in the State of Georgia.
12. What if I work in Atlanta, but live elsewhere? Can I pick up the medicine?
Yes, you may come to one of the PODs within the area to pick up medicine.
Website content was accurate at the time of publishing. Public health officials may need to modify and/or discontinue the use of this system as more information is available.
For questions, you can contact your district public health office.
District 1-1 (Northwest) – Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Haralson, Paulding, Polk, & Walker
Main Number – 706-295-6704 Emergency Preparedness – 706-802-5624
District 1-2 (North Georgia) – Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, Whitfield
Main Number – 706-529-5757
District 2 (North) – Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, White
Main Number – 770-535-5743
District 3-1 (Cobb-Douglas) – Cobb, Douglas
Main Number – 770-514-2300
District 3-2 (Fulton) – Fulton
Main Number – 404-613-1205
District 3-3 (Clayton) – Clayton
Emergency Preparedness – 678-610-7471
District 3-4 (East Metro) – Gwinnett, Newton, Rockdale
Main Number – 770-339-4260
District 3-5 (DeKalb) – DeKalb
District 4 (LaGrange) – Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup, Upson
Main Number – 706-845-4035
District 5-1 (South Central) – Bleckley, Dodge, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Pulaski, Telfair, Treutlen, Wheeler, Wilcox
Main Number – 478-275-6545
District 5-2 (North Central) – Baldwin, Crawford, Hancock, Houston, Jasper, Jones, Macon-Bibb, Monroe, Peach, Putnam, Twiggs, Washington, Wilkinson
Emergency Preparedness – 478-751-3029
District 6 (East Central) – Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren, Wilkes
Main Number – 706-667-4326
District 7 (West Central) – Columbus, Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Webster
Main Number – 706-321-6300
District 8-1 (South) – Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift, Turner
Main Number – 229-333-5290
District 8-2 (Southwest) – Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Worth
Main Number – 229-352-4275
District 9-1 (Coastal) – Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh
Brunswick – 912-262-2300 Savannah – 912-644-5200
District 9-2 (Southeast) – Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Bulloch, Candler, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Evans, Jeff Davis, Pierce, Tattnall, Toombs, Ware, Wayne
Main Number – 912-285-6002
District 10 (Northeast) – Clarke, Walton, Barrow, Jackson, Madison, Elbert, Greene, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe
Main Number 706-583-2870
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