CDC Names Anti-Vaccine Surgeon General's Deputtee as Deputy Director, Favors "Natural Immunity"
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has appointed Ralph Abraham, Louisiana's Surgeon General, to be its new principal deputy director, a position that puts him at the helm of the agency's vaccine strategy. Under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Abraham will oversee the CDC's vaccination efforts, sparking concerns among experts who describe his views on vaccines as "dangerous" and "irresponsible".
Abraham has long been an outspoken critic of vaccines, saying he prefers "natural immunity". In February, he ordered Louisiana health officials to stop promoting mass vaccinations, including flu shots, and barred staff from running seasonal vaccine campaigns. The move was seen as a concerning development in the fight against infectious diseases.
While Abraham's appointment is not unprecedented - his predecessor had also held the position - experts say that his anti-vaccine views are alarming. "I heard way worse names floated," said physician Jeremy Faust, who revealed the appointment in his newsletter Inside Medicine. Despite this, Abraham has relevant experience running a public health system, unlike some of his current colleagues.
Abraham's track record on vaccine skepticism is well-documented. He has advocated for the use of unproven treatments like hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin to combat COVID-19, despite studies showing they are ineffective against the virus. His own prescribing habits have also raised concerns - in 2013, he was one of the top opioid prescribers in Louisiana.
The appointment has sparked widespread criticism from public health experts, who say it is a concerning development for vaccine efforts. Kennedy's own views on vaccines and public health are deeply unpopular among medical professionals, and some fear that his influence will lead to the erosion of evidence-based medicine at the CDC.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has appointed Ralph Abraham, Louisiana's Surgeon General, to be its new principal deputy director, a position that puts him at the helm of the agency's vaccine strategy. Under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Abraham will oversee the CDC's vaccination efforts, sparking concerns among experts who describe his views on vaccines as "dangerous" and "irresponsible".
Abraham has long been an outspoken critic of vaccines, saying he prefers "natural immunity". In February, he ordered Louisiana health officials to stop promoting mass vaccinations, including flu shots, and barred staff from running seasonal vaccine campaigns. The move was seen as a concerning development in the fight against infectious diseases.
While Abraham's appointment is not unprecedented - his predecessor had also held the position - experts say that his anti-vaccine views are alarming. "I heard way worse names floated," said physician Jeremy Faust, who revealed the appointment in his newsletter Inside Medicine. Despite this, Abraham has relevant experience running a public health system, unlike some of his current colleagues.
Abraham's track record on vaccine skepticism is well-documented. He has advocated for the use of unproven treatments like hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin to combat COVID-19, despite studies showing they are ineffective against the virus. His own prescribing habits have also raised concerns - in 2013, he was one of the top opioid prescribers in Louisiana.
The appointment has sparked widespread criticism from public health experts, who say it is a concerning development for vaccine efforts. Kennedy's own views on vaccines and public health are deeply unpopular among medical professionals, and some fear that his influence will lead to the erosion of evidence-based medicine at the CDC.
! The CDC just appointed Ralph Abraham as the new principal deputy director and he's literally anti-vax 
. I mean, what's next? They're gonna start letting unproven treatments on the market just because they sound "natural"? 
Newsflash: natural immunity doesn't equal protection from diseases 
.
. He's been pushing hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin as COVID treatments despite ZERO evidence they work 
. And don't even get me started on his opioid prescribing habits... not exactly the poster child for public health 
.
, folks. We need experts who actually know what they're talking about when it comes to vaccines and public health, not someone with an agenda that puts misinformation first 
. I'm keeping a close eye on this situation 
...
they're so good!! I was at this cafe last week and I had this amazing oat milk latte it was like a hug in a cup 
anyway, back to vaccines... I mean, can we talk about how cool it is when you get that perfect tan after spending hours at the beach? I swear, nothing beats the feeling of soaking up those UV rays 
. And speaking of sun protection, has anyone tried those new sunscreen sticks? They're so convenient and portable! 
It's like putting a fire extinguisher in the hands of a arsonist. Ralph Abraham's views on vaccines are straight out of a conspiracy theorist's playbook and it's alarming that the CDC would even consider him for this position. And let's not forget his own history of promoting unproven treatments and reckless prescribing habits... 
This is going to end badly, mark my words.
. And let's not forget his shady past on opioids... that's some serious red flag stuff 
Ralph Abraham seems like a total opposite from what we need in public health right now. His views on vaccines are just so... concerning. 
.
His appointment just seems like a recipe for disaster, especially with Kennedy's own questionable views on vaccines and public health in play 
.
. This whole thing just feels really shady to me 
he was already bad news with all that hydroxychloroquine stuff, cant believe they gave him this power 
i hope experts who know whats up can keep an eye on him and make sure nothing too crazy happens 
. It's gotta be tough to work at the CDC when you have people like Abraham around, spreading misinformation left and right 
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! Ralph Abraham as Deputy Director is like a dream come true for all my fellow anti-vaxxers 
he's always been a strong advocate for "natural immunity" and I love how he's not afraid to speak his mind 
I know some people might be worried about his views, but I think it's amazing that someone with his experience is finally leading the CDC in this direction 
This is what happens when you put ideologues in power and ignore science 
. We need experts who actually know what they're talking about to make decisions that affect our public health 
.
Ralph Abraham is literally undoing all the hard work people have been putting into protecting us from preventable diseases. The thought of him making decisions on vaccine strategy for the CDC is giving me anxiety 
. And can we talk about how many lives are at risk because of his views on natural immunity? It's crazy to think that some people actually believe getting sick naturally is better than being vaccinated 
I mean, I get it, experience matters, but you can't just overlook someone's track record on misinformation. We need experts who know what they're talking about, not some dude who thinks natural immunity is the best thing since sliced bread 