In a move that has quickly sent ripples across the public health community, Dr. Ralph Abraham, the former Surgeon General of Louisiana, has been quietly appointed to one of the top roles at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Abraham, who has been an outspoken critic of government vaccine mandates and mass vaccination campaigns, is now the agency’s Principal Deputy Director.
The appointment was confirmed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Dr. Abraham is listed in the CDC’s internal database as having started his new role on November 23, 2025. This position is a powerful one, heavily involved in the day-to-day operation and shaping of national public health policy. His elevation to the number two post is particularly significant because the CDC currently does not have a permanent director. The HHS deputy secretary is currently serving as the acting director, which effectively makes Dr. Abraham the top medical and policy figure at the institution.
A Record of Controversy
Dr. Abraham’s tenure as Louisiana’s top public health official was marked by several controversial decisions. As Surgeon General for the state, he instructed health department staff to stop all promotion of mass vaccination programs, including for common illnesses like the flu, arguing that government agencies should avoid promoting “pharmaceutical products.” His directive was an effort to shift the focus toward patient informed consent and individual choice, but it drew sharp criticism from public health experts who worried it would diminish confidence in essential public health efforts.
The new Deputy Director has also publicly promoted medical theories and treatments that major infectious disease experts have widely debunked. For example, he advocated for making drugs like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine available over the counter, despite the lack of evidence for their effectiveness against COVID-19. Furthermore, Dr. Abraham once reportedly described COVID-19 vaccines as “dangerous.”
A Diverse Background
Despite the controversy surrounding his public health philosophy, Dr. Abraham brings a unique and extensive background to the federal agency. Before becoming a politician and physician, his career path included an initial decade spent as a practicing veterinarian. He then went on to earn his medical degree, becoming a practicing family medicine physician.
In addition to his medical credentials, the Louisiana native is a former three-term U.S. Congressman, having served from 2015 to 2021. He also served as a First Lieutenant in the Army National Guard.
The Road Ahead
His appointment comes at an already turbulent time for the CDC. The agency’s former principal deputy director was reportedly “forced to resign” in August 2025, adding to the instability in the agency’s top ranks. Dr. Abraham’s entry has intensified concerns from some members of the public health community who fear his non-traditional views could further undermine public trust in vaccines and national health guidance. The public health community will be closely watching to see how a leader with a history of rolling back mass vaccination efforts will approach the monumental task of directing the world’s premier health protection agency.