Summary
President Trump's administration has appointed Ralph Abraham, a former Louisiana health official, as the new principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Abraham previously worked as a Louisiana Surgeon General and was known for opposing mass vaccination promotions and supporting the controversial use of ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment.
Key Facts
- Ralph Abraham is appointed as the CDC's principal deputy director.
- The appointment was confirmed by the Department of Health and Human Services and does not need Senate approval.
- Abraham was a three-term congressman from 2015 to 2021 and has a background in veterinary and family medicine.
- In February, Abraham stopped Louisiana's health department from using media campaigns to promote vaccinations.
- He argued against COVID-19 vaccine safety and advised against its use publicly.
- He supported using the unproven drug ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19.
- Abraham was the seventh highest prescriber of ivermectin in Louisiana in 2021.
