Affinia Healthcare

Although the smallpox-related virus is surging in other parts of the world, doctors in St. Louis said cases are still low in the region. But they say vaccinations can keep the risk of future spread low.

Affinia Healthcare received nearly $390,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide Afghan refugees with health care education and wellness services.

Affinia Healthcare is providing more than 200 free Deterra Drug Deactivation and Disposal System pouches at two of its pharmacies. The pouches allow people to safely dispose of prescription drugs at home.

Affinia Healthcare is opening a 15,000-square-foot clinic in Ferguson on Nov. 2., which will be led by three Black women physicians. People can receive pediatric care, dental care, behavioral health services, lactation assistance, substance abuse support, family medicine care and midwifery services.

Affinia Healthcare is teaming up with City Hope St. Louis to provide people who are homeless with health care services. The facility is offering medical, dental and optical services to people experiencing homelessness associated with the nonprofit.

The International Institute of St. Louis wants health care providers to make sure they’re able to communicate with an expected surge of new arrivals from other countries. The institute’s leaders say it can often be difficult for refugees and immigrants to understand the country’s health care system.

Earlier this month, federal officials recommended the COVID-19 vaccine for that age group after the Food and Drug Administration determined it was safe and effective. Doses of the vaccine, scaled down in size for smaller children, began arriving in St. Louis late last week.

Affinia Healthcare will construct a 15,000-square-foot health center in Ferguson. The center will include family medical, pediatric, dental care and behavioral health services

Many parents hurried to get their children the COVID-19 vaccine earlier this month after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved it for ages 5 through 11. St. Louis area health officials say there's more than enough to go around.

Instead of relying on large-scale clinics that distribute thousands of COVID-19 vaccine shots a day as they once did, St. Louis health workers are working with smaller community organizations and clinics to persuade skeptical patients to get the shot.