In the year In 2021, the Biden-Harris administration announced new COVID-19 vaccination requirements to improve the health and safety of individuals and the efficiency of workplaces, protect our economy and vulnerable populations. Since January 2021, Covid-19 deaths have dropped by 95% and hospitalizations have dropped by 91%. Globally, COVID-19 deaths are at their lowest level since the outbreak began. Following a whole-of-government effort that has enabled nearly 270 million Americans to receive at least one shot of the Covid-19 vaccine, our response to Covid-19 is far from the way many of us have been. These requirements have been implemented.
Today, we are announcing that the administration will end the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for federal employees, federal contractors, and international airline travelers at the end of May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. Additionally, HHS and DHS announced today that they will begin the process to end their immunization requirements for Head Start teachers, CMS-certified health care facilities, and certain noncitizens at the land border. In the coming days, more details related to the completion of these requirements will be provided.
Our administration’s vaccination requirements help ensure the safety of workers in critical workforces, including those in the health care and education sectors, to protect themselves and the public they serve and strengthen their ability to provide services without disrupting operations. The federal government has successfully implemented increased vaccination requirements for its workforce to achieve 98% compliance by January 2022, reflecting employees who have received at least one dose or have a pending or approved special or extension request. It has established vaccination requirements for certain international travelers to reduce the spread of new imported variants and to allow time for our health care system to effectively manage care if it experiences an increase in cases and hospitalizations.
Our Covid-19 vaccine needs have boosted vaccination across the country, and our massive vaccination campaign has saved millions of lives. We have successfully orchestrated the response to make historic investments in widely accessible vaccines, tests and treatments to combat Covid-19. While vaccination will continue to be one of the most important tools for improving worker health and safety and improving workplace efficiency, we are now at a different stage in our response, where these measures are no longer necessary.
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