• The main aim of pertussis vaccination is to reduce the risk of severe pertussis in infants and young children. 
• All children worldwide, including children living with HIV, should be immunized against pertussis. 
• Countries should achieve early and timely vaccination and maintain coverage of at least 90% at national and subnational levels. 
  
  

Primary infant vaccination 

• WHO recommends a 3-dose primary series, initiated at 6 weeks and no later than 8 weeks of age; subsequent doses should be given 4–8 weeks apart and the series should be completed by 6 months of age. 
• Protection can be obtained with either wP- or aP-containing vaccine. National programmes using wP vaccines should continue to use wP for the primary series. 
• National programmes currently using aP vaccine may continue to do so but should consider the need for additional booster doses and strategies to prevent early childhood mortality, such as maternal immunization, in the event of a resurgence of pertussis. 
  
  

Booster vaccination 

• A booster dose is recommended for children aged 1–6 years, preferably during the second year of life and at least 6 months after the last primary dose, unless otherwise indicated by local epidemiology. 
• Countries using aP vaccines may consider additional booster doses based on local epidemiology, programme priorities and resources. 
  
  

Vaccination during pregnancy and additional strategies 

• Vaccination of pregnant women with an aP-containing vaccine is likely to be the most cost-effective additional strategy for preventing pertussis in infants who are too young to be vaccinated, particularly where infant morbidity or mortality remains high despite high routine coverage. 
• Maternal vaccination may be implemented nationally or as an outbreak-response measure. Vaccination should be administered in the second or third trimester, preferably at least 15 days before the end of pregnancy. 
• Cocooning is difficult and costly to implement and is not recommended as the principal additional strategy.  
• Vaccination of health workers should be prioritized where there is a substantial risk of transmission to young infants or pregnant women.