Governor Murphy on Monday lifted the state's COVID-19 vaccination requirement for health care workers, bringing to a close the last remaining mandate of the pandemic era.

The decision comes as the federal government also lifted its COVID vaccine requirement for workers and as transmission rates hit historic lows.

The health care settings include long term care facilities, hospitals, adult medical day care programs and specialty treatment centers, among others.

But individual employers, including those systems, can still require employees to be up to date on their vaccines.

Hundreds of health care workers across the state were fired or quit two years ago after refusing to get the original shot.

New Jersey is facing a severe health care staff and nursing shortage.

Some in the industry are hopeful the end of this mandate could bring some relief.