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 provide additional comments.

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

Before entering politics, Dr. Abraham practiced as both a physician and a veterinarian. He was elected to Congress in 2014 and served until his retirement in 2020. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he promoted the use of hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, both of which have been deemed ineffective against the virus. His appointment raises questions about the future direction of public health policy at the CDC, particularly in light of ongoing debates surrounding 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, acting as the CDC director. This places Dr. Abraham in a significant leadership position within the agency.

Abraham's appointment has drawn criticism, particularly 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 pro-vaccination advocate from Louisiana, has voiced concerns that undermining 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.