▼ Summary
– Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine advocate, appointed Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham as the CDC’s principal deputy director, drawing criticism from experts.
– The appointment was revealed by physician Jeremy Faust and confirmed by journalists, with a CDC source suggesting worse candidates were considered.
– Abraham has relevant experience running a public health system, though his approach is not aligned with standard public health recommendations.
– Under his leadership, Louisiana’s health department delayed informing residents about a deadly whooping cough outbreak for months.
– Abraham holds anti-vaccine views, including not recommending COVID-19 vaccines and halting promotion of mass vaccinations like flu shots.
The appointment of Dr. Ralph Abraham as the new principal deputy director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has ignited significant controversy within the public health community. Critics describe the selection as dangerous and irresponsible, pointing to Abraham’s documented skepticism toward vaccines and his management of health crises while serving as Louisiana’s Surgeon General. The decision, made under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., reflects an ongoing shift in federal health policy that prioritizes natural immunity and individual choice over established immunization practices.
News of Abraham’s appointment first appeared in physician Jeremy Faust’s newsletter, Inside Medicine, and was later verified by multiple journalists. Faust reported that some insiders at the CDC expressed relief, noting that other candidates considered for the role held even more extreme positions. While Abraham does bring experience from overseeing a state health department, his record includes serious lapses in communication and responsiveness. For example, his office delayed informing the public for months during a dangerous whooping cough outbreak, raising concerns about transparency and timely intervention.
Abraham’s public statements reveal a clear preference for natural immunity over vaccination. Earlier this year, he told a Louisiana media outlet that he does not advise COVID-19 vaccination, stating plainly, “I prefer natural immunity.” In February, he directed the state health department to cease all promotion of mass vaccination programs, including annual flu shot campaigns, and prohibited staff from organizing seasonal vaccine drives. These actions align with the views of Health Secretary Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, but conflict with guidance from most medical experts who emphasize the role of vaccines in preventing serious illness and controlling outbreaks.
(Source: Ars Technica)
