The below review of recent pertussis research articles reiterates well-characterized pertussis dynamics but leave critical questions unanswered: Can mucosal vaccines outperform natural infection in blocking transmission? How can we balance broad booster policies with pragmatic resource allocation? The 2024 data remind us that B. pertussis is a moving target—one demanding adaptive strategy, not static approaches. Until next-generation vaccines arrive – none is in sight – optimizing existing tools (e.g., maternal immunization, targeted boosters) remains our best defense. 1. Pertussis (Whooping Cough): Disease Burden, Vaccination, and Immunology Pertussis, caused by Bordetella pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease with significant morbidity and mortality, especially in infants. Widespread vaccination dramatically reduced cases, but waning immunity, particularly with acellular (aP) vaccines, has led to a resurgence in adolescents and adults. aP vaccines are safer but induce less durable protection than whole-cell vaccines. Maternal Tdap vaccination protects newborns, yet antibody waning limits long-term effectiveness. Ongoing research focuses...
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