Dr. Ralph Abraham has been appointed as the principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective November 23. This appointment was not publicly announced by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and many CDC employees reportedly learned of it only through the agency's internal database. An HHS spokesperson confirmed Dr. Abraham's new role but did not elaborate further.

Previously serving as Louisiana's surgeon general, Dr. Abraham has publicly criticized Covid-19 vaccines, labeling them as 'dangerous.' His views align with those of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., particularly regarding vaccination practices and certain medications. Dr. Abraham has advocated against the use of Tylenol during pregnancy due to alleged links to autism and has called for the cessation of routine hepatitis B immunization at birth. He has also proposed the removal of aluminum salts from vaccines, which are used to enhance immune responses.

Dr. Abraham's political career includes a term in Congress from 2014 to 2020, during which he promoted the use of hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin for Covid-19, treatments that have been shown to be ineffective against the virus. His appointment raises questions about the future direction of public health policy at the CDC, especially amid ongoing debates regarding vaccine safety and efficacy.

The CDC currently lacks a permanent director following the removal of Susan Monarez earlier this year, with Jim O’Neill, the HHS deputy secretary, serving as the acting director. This places Dr. Abraham in a significant leadership position within the agency.

Concerns about vaccine skepticism within the CDC have intensified, particularly under Secretary Kennedy's leadership, which has seen reductions in funding for vaccine research and the removal of pro-vaccine members from the CDC's advisory board. This shift has alarmed health experts, especially as Louisiana faces its worst whooping cough outbreak in three decades, a situation worsened by the cancellation of the state's mass vaccination program.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician and advocate for vaccinations, has expressed concern that undermining the established scientific consensus on vaccine safety could pose serious risks to public health. Despite these concerns, Cassidy supported Kennedy's confirmation as HHS secretary, reflecting the complex dynamics surrounding vaccine policy in the current administration.