Perceptions of the safety, development, and approval process of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines among individuals with Affordable Care Act health insurance in Central Texas at the time of initial vaccine availability

Sendero Health Plans, an Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance company, conducted a cross-sectional survey in December 2020 to assess individual perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine development and approval processes and their plan to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine in Central Texas at the time of initial availability. A logistic regression model was developed to identify factors associated with individual plans to obtain a vaccine when it became available. A total of 500 (77.25%) of the 645 respondents in this analysis planned to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine when it became available. The logistic regression model was statistically significant [χ2(19) = 314.41, p < 0.001]. Plans to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine were significantly associated with perceptions of vaccine safety (POR: 23.45, p = 0.001, 95% CI: 3.10, 58.34), vaccine protectiveness (POR: 15.55, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 3.55, 68.06), and transparency of the authorization process (POR: 1.33, p = 0.024, 95% CI: 1.15, 7.15). Perceptions regarding the safety, protectiveness, and authorization process of the COVID-19 vaccines are associated with individual plans to obtain the vaccines. This study provides insights into factors that influence vaccination intent and key barriers affecting vaccine hesitancy during a public health crisis.