Public HealthEthicsGovernment
November 25, 2025Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham, COVID vaccine skeptic who praised RFK Jr., named CDC second in command
Abraham's appointment to CDC's second-highest role follows website changes promoting debunked vaccine-autism claims
Dr. Ralph Abraham was named CDC deputy administrator on Nov. 25, 2025
Abraham is Louisiana's first surgeon general, appointed in 2024
He publicly praised RFK Jr.'s vaccine skepticism before Kennedy became HHS Secretary Abraham served as Republican congressman from Louisiana (2015-2021) and campaigned with Trump in 2019.
Abraham's appointment follows CDC's Nov. 19 website change promoting debunked vaccine-autism links
His medical background is emergency medicine
Public statements show he questioned COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy The appointment places a vaccine skeptic in CDC's second-highest position under RFK Jr., who personally ordered the autism website changes.
As congressman, Abraham voted against the Affordable Care Act and co-sponsored bills to defund Planned Parenthood. He opposed mask mandates during the pandemic. Abraham left Congress in 2021 and worked in private medical practice before Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry appointed him surgeon general in 2024.
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