Louisiana’s Ralph Abraham Appointed CDC’s Principal Deputy Director

Dr. Ralph Abraham, the Louisiana Surgeon General known for his criticism of government vaccine mandates, has been appointed as the principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although an official announcement is pending, a spokesperson for the CDC confirmed his position after his name appeared in the agency’s address book. The appointment has raised eyebrows, particularly among public health advocates.

Abraham, who is 70 years old, previously served as a Republican congressman for three terms before being appointed Surgeon General in December 2023. His political career includes an unsuccessful run for governor in 2019. During his tenure as Surgeon General, he took significant steps to limit the state’s vaccination promotion efforts. In February 2024, he instructed his staff to cease media campaigns and community health initiatives aimed at increasing vaccination rates, stating that the Louisiana Department of Health “will no longer promote mass vaccination.” This directive coincided with the swearing-in of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, a notable figure in the anti-vaccine movement.

In a letter published on the Louisiana Department of Health’s website, Abraham expressed his opposition to “blanket government mandates” for vaccines. He emphasized that individuals should have the autonomy to make their own decisions regarding vaccinations, arguing that “government should admit the limitations of its role in people’s lives and pull back its tentacles from the practice of medicine.”

Dr. Nirav Shah, an epidemiologist who previously held the principal deputy director role under the Biden administration, criticized Abraham’s appointment on social media platform X. Shah remarked, “Dr. Abraham has been on the wrong side of several important public health issues over the past decade. His track record, which includes undermining confidence in vaccines and minimizing the risk of outbreaks, disqualifies him from steering an agency charged with protecting all Americans.”

Abraham’s appointment arrives at a time of transition for the CDC, which has not had a permanent director since August 2023. Dr. Susan Monarez was removed from her position shortly after being confirmed by the Senate, following allegations that she was pressured to modify CDC guidelines on childhood vaccinations. The agency is under scrutiny as it navigates public health challenges, especially regarding vaccine confidence.

Earlier this month, the CDC updated a webpage to include language suggesting that studies have not definitively ruled out a link between vaccines and autism. Kennedy, a longstanding critic of vaccinations, claimed responsibility for directing the changes to the CDC’s communications.

CBS News Atlanta has made attempts to reach Dr. Abraham for further comment regarding his new role, and the story will be updated as more information becomes available. The Associated Press contributed to this report, highlighting the ongoing conversation around public health leadership and vaccine policy in the United States.