ONTARIO – Avita Health System has announced it’s providing Moderna COVID-19 booster shots for individuals 18 years of age and older at Galion and Ontario Hospitals.

Avita’s booster shot clinics opened Nov. 8 and will continue based on the needs of the community. Ontario Hospital’s clinic will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the atrium. Galion Hospital’s clinic will be open on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the lobby conference room. Call 419-468-0800 to request an appointment. Enter through the main entrance at each hospital and a medical grade mask will be provided.

The Moderna booster shot is available to individuals who have received the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least 6 months ago, or the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine at least 2 months ago. All individuals must also meet one of the following criteria to be eligible for the booster shot:

 65 years of age or older

 18 years of age or older who live in long-term care settings

 18 years of age or older who have underlying medical conditions*

 18 years of age or older who work or live in high-risk settings**

*Underlying medical conditions include, but are not limited to:

 Cancer

 Chronic kidney disease

 Liver disease

 Chronic lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

 Dementia

 Diabetes (type 1 or 2)

 Down syndrome

 Heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and high blood pressure

 HIV infections

 Weakened immune system

 Mental health conditions

 Body Mass Index of 25 or greater

 Pregnancy

 Current or former cigarette smoker

 Organ or blood stem transplant recipient

 Stroke or cerebrovascular disease

 Substance use disorder

 Tuberculosis

**Examples of individuals who work or reside in high-risk settings:

 First responders

 Education

 Correctional facility

 Homeless shelter

 Food and agriculture

 Manufacturing

 U.S. Postal Service

 Public transit

 Grocery store

For more information, visit avitahealth.org.