WASHINGTON, D.C. — Monday afternoon, the White House announced the end of many of the vaccine requirements put in place two years ago.

On May 11, the same day the COVID public health emergency comes to an end, the federal government will no longer require the COVID vaccine for federal employees and contractors, international travelers, Head Start teachers and health care facilities certified by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“Since January 2021, COVID-19 deaths have declined by 95 percent, and hospitalizations are down nearly 91 percent,” a statement from the White House said. “Globally, COVID-19 deaths are at their lowest levels since the start of the pandemic. Following a whole-of-government effort that led to a record number of nearly 270 million Americans receiving at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, we are in a different phase of our response to COVID-19 than we were when many of these requirements were put into place.”

The statement said additional details about the end of the vaccine requirements will be announced soon.