Ralph Abraham, MD, abruptly resigned his role as principal deputy director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today, after less than two months on the job, becoming the second senior official to exit the agency this month.
Abraham, whose resignation took effect immediately, was the second in command at the CDC. That leaves the agency with vacancies in its top two positions. Acting CDC director Jim O’Neil stepped down just over a week ago. O’Neil also left his job as deputy health secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Abraham was sharply criticized by public health advocates last month when he said that losing the United States’ measles elimination status is the “cost of doing business.” The CDC has confirmed nearly 1,000 measles cases this year, along with 2,281 last year. Canada lost its measles elimination status last year due to sustained transmission of the virus for more than 12 months.
Abraham, a long-time critic of COVID-19 vaccines, also faced sharp criticism in his previous role as surgeon general of Louisiana. As the state surgeon general, he told the health department to stop promoting mass vaccination campaigns and did not publicly respond to a pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak in Louisiana in 2025 for two months, even after two infants died.
Abraham also advocated for the use of ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has stated the United States should stop vaccinating newborns against hepatitis B. In December, the CDC stopped recommending a universal birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine, which is credited with reducing chronic hepatitis B infections by 99% since 1991.
Months of upheaval at the CDC
Jay Bhattacharya, MD, director of the National Institutes of Health, was named interim CDC director after O’Neill’s departure. The CDC has been without a permanent director for most of the past year.
Although Susan Monarez, PhD, was sworn in as CDC director in July, she was fired after one month on the job after refusing to rubber-stamp vaccine policy directives from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. That move spurred the resignation of several top CDC officials in protest.
In a statement on its website, the CDC said Abraham chose to step down to address unforeseen family obligations.
"It has been an honor to serve alongside the dedicated public health professionals at the CDC and to support the agency's critical mission," Abraham said in the statement.
