Epidemiology and prevention of pertussis

Pertussis continues to be a common cause of morbidity and mortality in unimmunized young children. In immunized populations, the disease remains endemic and epidemic. Reports of pertussis infection in older children and adults are increasing, and the data indicate that lifelong immunity from either pertussis immunization or childhood pertussis does not exist, which stresses the importance of continued booster immunization in this population. The less reactogenic acellular pertussis vaccines, which may provide protection equal to or even better than that provided by currently used whole-cell vaccines, seem to be suitable not only for primary immunization but also for boostering in all age groups. This review focuses on some recent developments in the epidemiology and prevention of pertussis infection.