Affinia Healthcare Partners to Provide Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Therapy for COVID-19 Patients

(UPDATE 1/3/2021) The City of St. Louis Department of Health continues to partner with Affinia Healthcare to provide monoclonal antibody treatment at a location within the City of St. Louis. For information about the treatment at the treatment center, please call a treatment representative at 314-449-3553.

(ISSUED 8/30/2021) Affinia Healthcare has partnered with the City of St. Louis Department of Health and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to help provide monoclonal antibody infusion therapy for COVID-19 patients in the St. Louis region.  

This treatment is prescribed for patients who have mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 and an elevated risk of complications.  Data from clinical trials showed that high-risk patients treated with monoclonal antibodies had a 70% reduction in relative risk of progression to severe disease or hospitalization compared to patients who did not receive monoclonal antibodies.

“Making monoclonal antibody treatments available in North St. Louis, where we continue to see some of the highest rates of COVID-19 transmission is critical,” said Dr. Fredrick Echols, M.D., Acting Director of Health and Health Commissioner for the City of St. Louis. “This location will help us bring equitable access to this life-saving treatment without burdening families with having to travel far from home. The health department remains dedicated to addressing health inequities and partnering with organizations who share our vision for St. Louis, an equitable community achieving optimal health for all.”

Beginning Tuesday, August 31st, the monoclonal antibody infusion therapy service will be provided from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Urban League’s Peter Bunce Campus, 2125 Bissell Street, St. Louis, 63107.  For an initial period of approximately 30 days, the service will be provided by a contractor to the State of Missouri.  Affinia Healthcare will assume direct provision of the service after the initial period, and until further notice.  

Dr. Alan Freeman, DMgt, Affinia Healthcare President and CEO, stated “Patients in vulnerable St. Louis communities have had limited access to this important treatment.  Affinia Healthcare is honored to be invited by our state and city health departments to support and provide this service, and at a valued community location operated by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.  The service will be available to any person who tests positive for COVID-19, who is referred by a physician, and meets the clinical protocols for treatment.”

Referrals for an antibody infusion appointment can be made by calling 314-833-2777.

Making this treatment available in the northern part of the City of St. Louis is a large benefit to the community; however, it does not change the importance of staying vigilant to COVID-19 mitigation measures. These include receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, wearing a facial covering when indoors or in a crowded situation, and socially distancing from others who do not live in your household. 

Since April 2020, Affinia Healthcare has provided over 30,000 COVID-19 tests and over 17,400 COVID-19 vaccines for patients in the minority and underrepresented communities.  More information about Affinia Healthcare's testing and vaccination sites can be found at https://affiniahealthcare.org/covid-19/.