As of Tuesday morning, 8,985 Nebraskans had received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine since the first shipments began arriving in the state a week ago.

The first round of vaccines were targeted to hospital and health care workers providing direct patient care, as well as emergency medical technicians, paramedics and those who will be vaccinating priority groups in the months to come.

The vaccine distributed by Pfizer was the first to receive U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval and be delivered in Nebraska. The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses spaced about three weeks apar...