Challenges associated with pertussis detection, monitoring, and vaccination in adults.

Introduction: Pertussis is a severe and potentially life-threatening disease, particularly for young children. Pertussis can have severe complications, including pneumonia, apnea, encephalopathy, rib fractures, and death, and globally, it is not well controlled. In 2019, there were 19.5 million cases of pertussis worldwide. Countries that transitioned from whole cell to acellular pertussis vaccine programs have reported increasing incidence of pertussis in adolescents and adults. Older adults and adults with chronic health conditions are more likely to experience severe pertussis-related illness.

Areas covered: This review presents a summary of the evidence documenting diagnostic, surveillance, and vaccination challenges to controlling pertussis in adults. Searches of PubMed/Medline and clinicaltrials.gov were used to inform this review.

Expert opinion: Based on the limited data available to document the burden of pertussis in adults, the true burden of disease in this population remains unknown. There is therefore a need for (1) stronger surveillance and increased awareness of pertussis in adults in high-income and low- and middle-income countries; (2) improved pertussis vaccines that can provide longer-lasting immunity and/or block transmission; and (3) enhanced efforts to increase pertussis vaccination in adults.