BAYmeds

BAYmeds is a California Bay Area mobile application to assist the public during a Public Health Emergency. BAYmeds is currently assisting the public to find COVID-19 resources and testing sites nearest to you.

BAYmeds is a mobile application that is designed and intended for use during specific types of declared public health emergencies such as a biological attack or pandemic. A biological attack, or bioterrorism, is the intentional release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs that can sicken or kill people. A pandemic is defined as an epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a very wide area, crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large number of people. An anthrax attack, for example, requires rapid dispensing of medical countermeasures (MCM) to the entire exposed population in order to prevent illness or death. During a pandemic, such as COVID-19, the public needs easy access to resources and diagnostic testing to protect their health and the community. BAYmeds helps the public to identify the appropriate resources and diagnostic testing during a public health emergency.

The BAYmeds was developed and approved by Health Officers (licensed physicians) from 13 SF Bay Area jurisdictions.

Each jurisdiction’s Health Officer is legally responsible for managing medical/health preparedness, response, and recovery efforts at the county level. The Health Officer has the authority to enforce city, county, and state statutes, including standing orders and protocols for medication dispensing sites (referred to as Points of Dispensing (PODs)), diagnostic testing, and masking orders. A second feature of the BAYmeds mobile app is to help the public find nearby PODs and COVID-19 diagnostic testing sites.

In addition to following the Bay Area Health Officers’ approved screening protocols, BAYmeds is consistent with the regulatory guidance of the FDA, CDC, and California Department of Public Health.
The FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) authority allows FDA to help strengthen the nation’s public health protections against Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) threats, including emerging infectious disease threats such as pandemic influenza or SARS-CoV-2, by facilitating the availability and use of MCMs and diagnostic testing needed during public health emergencies.
https://www.fda.gov/RegulatoryInformation/Guidances/ucm125127.htm

Chapter III. Part A, Section 1. (page 4-5 in FDA EUA) defines EUA declaration when “determination by the Secretary of Homeland Security that there is a domestic emergency, or a significant potential for a domestic emergency, involving a heightened risk of attack with a CBRN agent(s)”.