Unveiled several steps to support the acceleration of the Company’s omnichannel health strategy, which will include the creation of new store formats and the optimization of the Company’s retail footprint to align with evolving customer needs, including a reduction in store density in certain locations and the closure of approximately 900 retail stores between 2022 and 2024. In addition, named Prem Shah the Company's first Chief Pharmacy Officer, who alongside Michelle Peluso, Chief Customer Officer, became Co-President of the Retail/LTC business effective January 1, 2022.
Administered more than 8 million COVID-19 tests and more than 20 million COVID-19 vaccines nationwide in the fourth quarter of 2021. For the full year, the Company administered more than 32 million COVID-19 tests and more than 59 million COVID-19 vaccines, while maintaining a strong commitment to vaccine and testing equity by optimizing site locations and targeting outreach initiatives to reach vulnerable populations.
Paid down $2.3 billion of long-term debt, while returning $660 million to shareholders through dividends during the three months ended December 31, 2021. Since the close of the acquisition of Aetna Inc. in November 2018, the Company has repaid a net $21.0 billion of long-term debt.
Announced a 10% increase to the annual shareholder dividend, which became effective with the February 1, 2022 dividend distribution, and the authorization of a $10 billion share repurchase program.
Named to the 2021 S&P Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (“DJSI”) North American Index for the ninth consecutive year and the DJSI World Index for the third consecutive year. The Company was also one of the first seven companies globally to have science-based net-zero GHG emissions targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative.
Hosted a one-day virtual career event resulting in approximately 45,000 clinical and retail hires, building on accelerated recruitment and retention efforts throughout 2021. The Company announced a significant investment in its employees by raising the minimum enterprise hourly wage to $15.00 an hour effective July 2022.