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In this section: Emergency Preparedness and Response

Public Health Preparedness and Response

The FDA plays a critical role in protecting the United States from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and emerging infectious disease threats. The FDA ensures that medical countermeasures (MCMs)—including drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tests—to counter these threats are safe, effective, and secure.

Sub-Topic Paragraphs

Graphic representing history of the FDA Medical Countermeasures Initiative (MCMi)

MCM

The FDA coordinates medical countermeasure development, preparedness, and response.

MCM News and Events

Public health preparedness and response news from the FDA and our partners.

Gavel and stethoscope representing legal preparedness for public health emergencies

MCM-related counterterrorism legislation

Federal legislation enacted to strengthen the nation’s preparedness for responding to public health emergencies involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) and emerging infectious disease threats.

Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)

The EUA authority allows the FDA to help strengthen the nation’s public health protections against CBRN threats by facilitating the availability and use of MCMs needed during public health emergencies.

collage with three photos showing woman being tested for the coronavirus with a nasal swab, lab scientist wearing full personal protective gear preparing test sample with pipet, and a 3D illustration of the coronavirus

COVID-19

Get the latest COVID-19 response updates from the FDA.

Hospital emergency staff, representing public health emergency-related issues

MCM issues

MCM-related and emergency preparedness and response topics, including Ebola, mpox, antimicrobial resistance, and more.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Public Health Preparedness and Response

Medical Countermeasures (MCM)