Louisiana’s surgeon general, a vocal COVID vaccine critic, is set to become the second-highest ranking official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Story Overview

• Dr. Ralph Abraham will serve as CDC deputy director under the new administration
• Abraham has publicly called COVID vaccines “dangerous” and criticized federal health policies
• The appointment signals a dramatic shift in CDC leadership philosophy
• Abraham has praised Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s approach to health policy reform

From State Surgeon General to Federal Deputy

Dr. Ralph Abraham’s trajectory from Louisiana’s top health official to the CDC’s deputy director represents one of the most significant philosophical shifts in federal health leadership in recent memory. Abraham, who currently serves as Louisiana’s surgeon general, has built a reputation for challenging mainstream public health narratives, particularly regarding COVID-19 vaccines and federal health mandates.

The appointment places a longtime vaccine skeptic in one of the most influential positions within America’s premier public health agency. Abraham’s elevation comes at a time when public trust in federal health institutions remains fractured following years of pandemic-related controversies and shifting guidance from health officials.

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A Record of Vaccine Skepticism

Abraham’s public statements about COVID vaccines have consistently diverged from federal health recommendations. His characterization of the vaccines as “dangerous” puts him at odds with the agency he will soon help lead. This stance aligns him with growing concerns among Americans who question the safety profiles and necessity of COVID vaccinations, particularly for younger populations.

His criticism extends beyond vaccines to broader federal health policies implemented during the pandemic. Abraham has questioned mask mandates, lockdown measures, and other interventions that federal agencies promoted as essential public health tools.

Louisiana’s top health official, a critic of the COVID vaccine, will be CDC deputy – NPR https://t.co/TTXCiO9rTi

— Kathleen Torvik (@KathleenTorvik) November 26, 2025

Alliance with Kennedy’s Health Vision

Abraham’s praise for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s approach to health policy provides insight into the direction the CDC may take under new leadership. Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda emphasizes investigating potential links between vaccines and chronic diseases, reducing corporate influence in health agencies, and prioritizing transparency in health research.

This alignment suggests Abraham will support efforts to revisit vaccine safety studies, examine conflicts of interest within health agencies, and potentially restructure how the CDC communicates health recommendations to the public. Such changes could fundamentally alter the agency’s relationship with pharmaceutical companies and its approach to vaccine advocacy.

Implications for CDC Direction

Abraham’s appointment signals a potential return to health policies that prioritize individual choice over federal mandates. His leadership philosophy appears to favor empowering Americans with information rather than prescriptive health directives.

Abraham’s skeptical stance toward pharmaceutical interventions may lead to more rigorous evaluation of drug safety data and greater scrutiny of industry relationships that could influence public health recommendations.

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/25/ralph-abraham-deputy-cdc-director
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/11/25/nx-s1-5620991/louisiana-surgeon-general-ralph-abraham-cdc-deputy