CDC Appoints Anti-Vaccine Rhetoric Expert as Second in Command
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has appointed Dr. Ralph Abraham, a former member of Congress and surgeon general of Louisiana, as its new principal deputy director – a senior role that oversees the agency's day-to-day operations. The appointment, made over the weekend without official announcement, comes at a time when the CDC is already grappling with a power struggle over vaccine policies.
Abraham has a troubling record on vaccines, having promoted debunked claims about their link to autism and autism, as well as the unsubstantiated Tylenol-autism linkage. He also backed ineffective COVID-19 treatments like ivermectin, which aligns him closely with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine advocate.
As Louisiana's surgeon general, Abraham ended a campaign to promote childhood vaccinations and failed to alert Louisianans about whooping cough deaths in a timely manner. His record suggests he will be an ally for Kennedy, who has clashed with more restrained officials like FDA Commissioner Marty Makary over vaccine policies.
The appointment raises concerns about the CDC's ability to effectively combat public health threats, particularly those related to vaccines. With confidence in America's public health agencies at an all-time low, Abraham's arrival may further erode trust in the agency's expertise.
In a separate development, the CDC's new role underlines the ongoing struggle over vaccine policies within federal government. As the battle for control of vaccine policy continues, it remains to be seen how the CDC will navigate this challenging landscape.
Meanwhile, there are other global health developments worth noting – including the announcement that a life-saving malaria vaccine is set to become cheaper, with prices dropping from around $4 to just $2.99 per dose.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has appointed Dr. Ralph Abraham, a former member of Congress and surgeon general of Louisiana, as its new principal deputy director – a senior role that oversees the agency's day-to-day operations. The appointment, made over the weekend without official announcement, comes at a time when the CDC is already grappling with a power struggle over vaccine policies.
Abraham has a troubling record on vaccines, having promoted debunked claims about their link to autism and autism, as well as the unsubstantiated Tylenol-autism linkage. He also backed ineffective COVID-19 treatments like ivermectin, which aligns him closely with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine advocate.
As Louisiana's surgeon general, Abraham ended a campaign to promote childhood vaccinations and failed to alert Louisianans about whooping cough deaths in a timely manner. His record suggests he will be an ally for Kennedy, who has clashed with more restrained officials like FDA Commissioner Marty Makary over vaccine policies.
The appointment raises concerns about the CDC's ability to effectively combat public health threats, particularly those related to vaccines. With confidence in America's public health agencies at an all-time low, Abraham's arrival may further erode trust in the agency's expertise.
In a separate development, the CDC's new role underlines the ongoing struggle over vaccine policies within federal government. As the battle for control of vaccine policy continues, it remains to be seen how the CDC will navigate this challenging landscape.
Meanwhile, there are other global health developments worth noting – including the announcement that a life-saving malaria vaccine is set to become cheaper, with prices dropping from around $4 to just $2.99 per dose.
I'm low-key freakin' out about this CDC appointment 
! Dr. Ralph Abraham's track record on vaccines is straight outta bad science 
. He's all about spreading misinformation and it's a huge red flag for the agency's credibility. I can already imagine him butting heads with vaccine experts like Marty Makary over there 
. With America's trust in public health agencies at an all-time low, this just feels like a major blow 
. And what's up with his friendship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.? 
That guy is a total anti-vaxxer and it's concerning to see his influence spreading through the CDC 
. I hope they get someone in there who actually knows what they're talking about 
!
with this appointment of dr abraham... like how can you promote anti-vaxx stuff and then work for an org that deals with vaccines all day every day?! it's like, don't they know that vaccines save lives?! 
anyway, i'm low-key freaking out about this development... will we ever see a trustworthy cdc again? 
soooo great job with this appointment, CDC... I mean who wouldn't want someone with a history of spreading misinformation about vaccines at the helm? 
and yeah, because nothing says "expertise" like a guy who thinks ivermectin is the answer to all our problems 
$2.99 per dose? That's like, what, a fraction of the cost? 
maybe we can finally make vaccines accessible to everyone who needs them 
what's next, is he gonna try to get rid of all those vaccine mandates or something? 
i know there are some conspiracy theories out there but this is just getting crazy. anyone else feeling super worried about our public health agencies? 
This is a bad sign for public health in the US... 
I'm not surprised, but still worried about the implications of his appointment on vaccine policies 
. this feels like a recipe for disaster, especially when you consider his past antics and connections to anti-vaxxers 
have you guys tried those new Korean BBQ places? heard great things about them 
but anyway back to vaccines, it's crazy that someone with such a history of spreading misinformation is now in charge of the CDC 
It's like they're trying to undo all the progress we've made on public health. And Dr. Abraham's record on vaccines is, like, super sketchy... how can you trust him with something as important as making vaccine policies? 
.
I'm all for free market stuff and all, but come on! Vaccines are a matter of life and death! 
its like, how is this even possible?? america's public health trust is ALREADY at an all time low & now this guy comes along & makes it WORSE 
. I know some people might think vaccines are overhyped or that there's more to the story, but come on - we've been through this before with diseases like smallpox and polio, and it was because of science and expertise 
. I just hope the CDC can find a way to push back against all these anti-vax sentiments and continue doing what they do best: keeping us safe 
meanwhile, we're still dealing with the aftermath of covid and now this guy's in charge... i'm not sure what's more concerning, the fact that he's an expert on anti-vaxx rhetoric or that he's got ties to someone as influential as robert f. kennedy jr