Did you miss the first event in the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA)’s new virtual series, “PHA Live?” One Jan. 29, pulmonary hypertension (PH) experts answered questions about COVID-19 vaccines in Spanish and English Facebook Live discussions.

Fernando Torres, M.D., of UT Southwestern, led the Spanish-language event. Victor Tapson, M.D., FCCP, FRCP of Cedars-Sinai Medical, led the English-language discussion. Many patients expressed gratitude for the information. One patient wrote, “Thank you for your time, doctor. I enjoyed it and learned a lot.”

Both experts hit on key questions and themes, including these five key takeaways:

  • Ask your doctor about getting a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can. Drs. Tapson and Torres explained that the approved vaccines are safe and effective for most people, including people with PH. “El mejor chance que tienes si te expones a esta enfermedad, puedas pelear la enfermedad mucho mejor que si no has estado vacunado,” Dr. Torres says. (Getting the vaccine is the best chance you have if you are exposed to this virus, so you will be better prepared to fight it than if you were not vaccinated.)
  • Even after you get the vaccines, continue current safety measures. Questions remain about whether people can spread coronavirus after they’re vaccinated, so continue social distancing and wear masks to keep yourself and others safe.
  • PH patients should contact their PH teams immediately if infected with COVID-19.
  • If you have doubts or concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines, continue to learn more. “If you’re not a believer in vaccines, do some reading, learn more about it, and try to get as educated as you can,” Dr. Tapson says. “Sometimes that may help change your opinion.” Find answers to your questions here. And always ask your own providers for medical advice.
  • Stay up to date about COVID-19 and vaccines as the situation evolves. More information is becoming available all the time about COVID-19 and its variants, and research continues on treatments and vaccines.

Watch the videos here. Get trusted information about COVID-19, vaccines and more.