Current vaccines against pertussis have proved their safety and efficacy in large-scale clinical trials. Despite high vaccination coverage, pertussis is still prevalent and increasing, probably as a result of waning immunity. Addition of new antigens, such as adenylate cyclase, to current vaccines might improve some aspects of the immune response to vaccination, but are unlikely to significantly increase the duration of protection. Intranasal, oral and DNA pertussis vaccines are some way from clinical development, although one live attenuated, intranasal pertussis vaccine may soon enter Phase I trials. In the meantime, the potential of currently available safe and efficacious pertussis vaccines should be maximised. Rationalisation of pertussis boosters in childhood and introduction of widespread repeat booster vaccination in adolescents and adults would already lessen disease prevalence and morbidity among susceptible infants.