Our CDC Deserves Science, Not Skepticism

Ralph L. Abraham’s appointment as the second-in-command at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a dangerous step backward for public health. His sudden elevation comes at a moment when the nation is heading into peak flu, RSV, and COVID-19 season — and the CDC still lacks a permanent director. This makes his influence even more immediate and far-reaching.

As Louisiana’s surgeon general, Abraham repeatedly undermined evidence-based vaccination policy. Reporting from NBC News and NPR shows that he halted state-led vaccine outreach, blocked mass vaccination events, and publicly cast doubt on standard vaccines that medical experts widely regard as safe and effective. According to these reports, Louisiana’s immunization campaigns stalled under his leadership, and state officials struggled to maintain vaccination rates. At the same time, Louisiana experienced serious outbreaks, including pertussis cases that resulted in infant deaths, made worse by delayed public notification.

Now, Abraham has been placed in one of the most powerful public health positions in the federal government. With a history of questioning core CDC practices, his leadership risks weakening national disease-prevention strategies, eroding public trust, and hindering emergency response capacity. These concerns are widely shared across the public health community, which warns that his appointment could politicize scientific decision-making at a moment when clarity and credibility are essential.

We call on the Department of Health and Human Services and key members of Congress to immediately reverse this appointment and ensure CDC leadership is grounded in science, medical expertise, and transparent public accountability.

The CDC must be led by people who strengthen public health — not undermine it.