This week, Virginia Department of Health (VDH) local health districts across the Commonwealth are continuing Requisite Cardinal, an emergency preparedness exercise to strengthen our ability to respond to a biological incident. About 20 local health departments will take part in Point of Dispensing (POD) drills, where staff practice giving out medicine or vaccines quickly during a public health emergency.
This work builds on the first phase of the exercise, which began in March at the 2026 Public Health Emergency Summit. That phase tested how health agencies make decisions, share information, and manage resources during a simulated biological event.
Requisite Cardinal encourages stronger collaboration between public health, emergency management, health care coalitions, and other community partners.
This week’s POD exercise will evaluate each of the participating health district’s ability to:
- Set up and operate POD sites.
- Quickly and safely dispense or administer medicine.
- Distribute supplies.
- Serve people quickly and efficiently.
These exercises help us find what works well and what needs improvement before a real emergency happens. Practicing together makes our communities safer and strengthens our ability to respond.
Residents may see activity throughout the state at POD sites during the exercise, but there is no real emergency.
You can find additional preparedness resources and learn more about VDH’s Office of Emergency Preparedness at: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-preparedness/.