Ralph Abraham Appointed CDC Principal Deputy Director

Ralph Abraham, M.D., was sworn in on December 15, 2025, as the Principal Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The appointment was conducted by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Dr. Abraham is scheduled to begin his official duties at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta on January 5, 2026. In this role, he serves as the second-in-command of the agency.

Agency Objectives and Leadership Vision

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Stated that the primary duty of the CDC is the protection of the American people from infectious disease. Kennedy noted that Dr. Abraham possesses the medical experience, courage, and integrity necessary to restore the agency’s position as a trusted defender of public health.

Deputy Secretary and Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill described the agency as having refocused on its core mission of defending the United States and the world against infectious disease. O’Neill indicated that the appointment of Dr. Abraham is intended to accelerate radical transparency and support Secretary Kennedy’s broader mission to make America healthy again.

Dr. Abraham has expressed his intent to reform the agency by prioritizing sound science first and removing ideologies from the decision-making process. He stated his goal is to establish the CDC as a global model for the treatment, prevention, and tracking of infectious diseases.

Professional Background and Experience

Dr. Abraham brings nearly 30 years of experience as a medical practitioner to the role. His academic background includes a degree from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, where he practiced for 10 years before earning his M.D.

His previous public service includes serving as a member of Congress representing Louisiana from 2014 to 2020. Most recently, he served as the Surgeon General of the state of Louisiana, a position he held in 2024.

Public Health Record and Controversies

Dr. Abraham’s appointment follows a history of public positions that diverge from established CDC recommendations. He has described COVID-19 vaccines as dangerous and has advocated for the use of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine as treatments for COVID-19, despite these being unproven for such use.

Additional medical views attributed to Dr. Abraham include:

• Questioning the safety of vaccines and promoting the removal of aluminum-based ingredients.
• Questioning the necessity of routine hepatitis B immunizations at birth.
• Advising against the use of Tylenol during pregnancy unless it is absolutely necessary.

During his tenure as Louisiana’s surgeon general, Dr. Abraham ordered the state health department to cease mass vaccination campaigns. Reports also indicate he waited two months to notify the public about a whooping cough outbreak that resulted in two deaths, a delay that other health officials suggested should have been addressed immediately.

The appointment has drawn criticism from previous agency leadership. Former CDC principal deputy director Dr. Nirav Shah, who served in the role until early 2024, expressed shock at the appointment, noting that a significant portion of the principal deputy’s responsibilities involves managing emergency responses.