Under the leadership of ardent anti-vaccine Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has appointed Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham as its new principal deputy director. This selection has met with immediate criticism from experts who have labeled it as 'dangerous' and 'irresponsible,' although they acknowledged it is not the worst possible choice given the circumstances.
The appointment was initially revealed by physician Jeremy Faust in his newsletter, Inside Medicine, and was later confirmed by journalists. Faust reported that, according to a CDC source, there were possibilities of worse candidates being selected. The source commented that even though Abraham’s views might be 'probably pretty terrible,' he possesses relevant experience in managing a public health system, a qualification lacking in some of the present agency leaders.
Nevertheless, Abraham’s approach to public health management has raised concerns among many experts. During his leadership of the Louisiana health department, he delayed informing residents about a deadly whooping cough (pertussis) outbreak. Moreover, Abraham has a documented history of anti-vaccine sentiments. Earlier this year, he publicly stated to a Louisiana news outlet that he does not recommend COVID-19 vaccines, expressing a preference for 'natural immunity.' In February, he instructed the health department to cease promoting mass vaccination efforts, such as flu shots, and prohibited staff from conducting seasonal vaccine campaigns.