Points of Dispensing (PODs)
In a public health emergency, large numbers of people may need medication or medical supplies quickly to prevent the spread of disease. Points of Dispensing (PODs) are designated sites organized by Public Health to distribute these critical resources.
There are two types of PODs:
- Open PODs are public locations where anyone in the community can receive medication.
- Closed PODs (CPODs) are operated by private organizations and are not open to the general public. These sites exclusively serve their own staff, staff family members, or clients. CPODs help reduce demand at public sites and expand access to lifesaving medication during emergencies.
Closed PODs operate under formal agreements with the local public health agency but are managed and staffed by the participating organization itself—not by public health personnel. Under Minnesota Statute 144.4198, non-medical personnel within these organizations are permitted to dispense medical countermeasures (MCMs) during an emergency. In addition, the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act provides liability protection for organizations and their staff participating in these efforts.
If your organization is located in Polk County and is interested in establishing a Closed POD agreement with Public Health, please contact us at 218-281-3385 for more information.