CDC Deputy Steps Down as Agency Faces Leadership Turnover

Dr. Ralph Abraham has stepped down as the CDC Principal Deputy Director, and the departure took effect immediately on February 23, 2026. The CDC said he left to address unforeseen family obligations, and the agency thanked him for his service. His exit came after only weeks on the job; he began in January and had been the agency’s second‑in‑command while there was no permanent director. The change is part of a wave of recent turnover at the agency, which has seen other senior officials leave this month.

Abraham previously served as Louisiana’s surgeon general. In that role he paused state mass vaccination events and described COVID‑19 vaccines as 'dangerous', positions that drew criticism from public health experts. Jay Bhattacharya, who leads the National Institutes of Health, is now serving as acting CDC director. A CDC vaccine advisory meeting that had been scheduled for later in February was not held. The rapid leadership changes have created uncertainty about the agency’s direction while new appointees settle into their roles.