Global Pertussis Initiative

Global Pertussis Initiative
AbbreviationGPI
Formation2001 (2001)
Age: 24–25 years[1]
Founder
TypeScientific working group
Region served
Global
Co-chairperson
Ulrich Heininger
Co-chairperson
Tina Tan
Main organ
Steering Committee
FundingSanofi

The Global Pertussis Initiative (GPI) is a scientific group dedicated to advancing the understanding and management of pertussis (whooping cough) and improve global disease control.

Background

Current global status of pertussis

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious respiratory disease that remains an important global public health concern.[2][3] Pertussis can cause significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in infants and vulnerable individuals, leading to severe and prolonged coughing fits, breathing difficulties, pneumonia, seizures, hospitalization, and, in the most serious cases, death. The high transmissibility (expected number of disease cases from one case; of 12 to 17) of the pertussis bacterial infection requires timely diagnosis to treat the patient and protect their close contacts from infection.[4][5][6]

Foundation of GPI

The Global Pertussis Initiative (GPI) was founded in 2001 as a scientific working group to address the growing challenge of pertussis (whooping cough) and systematically evaluate and prioritize strategies to address pertussis worldwide; and examine the rationale for immunization beyond childhood.[1] Thirty-seven pertussis experts were invited to the group, including a five-person steering committee of Tina Tan, Carl-Heinz Wirsing von König, Kevin Forsyth, Jaime Caro and Chairman Stanley Plotkin.[1]At a 2002 round table meeting in Paris, France, the Initiative then evaluated the global problems posed by pertussis infection;[7][8][9][10] assessed potential immunization strategies as addition to current immunization programs;[11][12][13][14] and conceived potential resolutions to overcome any barriers to the application of proposed immunization strategies.[1]

Subsequent meetings

Since the first full meeting in 2002, the steering committee has been progressively extended to provide broader perspective of populations affected by pertussis, both in terms of geography and in clinical specialties of the committee members. The GPI has met both internationally and regionally to develop strategies for the global pertussis control:

Focus

Gram stain of the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which causes whooping cough.

Having defined the problem of pertussis and identified potential solutions,[11][12] the GPI is focused on raise the profile of pertussis disease, which needs greater global public health attention.

World Pertussis Day

World Pertussis Day was established by the GPI and was first marked on 13 June 2026 as an awareness initiative focused on pertussis.[30] The date was chosen to coincide with the birth anniversary of Jules Bordet, who contributed to the understand of immunology; identified complement-mediated lysis;[31] and who and along with Octave Gengou identified the Bordetella pertussis bacterium, for which he was awarded the 1919 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.[32][33] The awareness initiative aims to improve public and professional understanding of pertussis, support surveillance and timely diagnosis, and highlight prevention strategies including vaccination during pregnancy and immunisation across the life course.[30]

Global Pertussis Initiative recommendations

Infant and child vaccination

Vaccination is the only available means to effectively control pertussis disease.[12] All countries should have active vaccination programs that include two to three doses in the primary infant schedule. The GPI encourages the use of a further dose around 1 year in age and a fifth dose in children 5 to 6 years of age, following the current immunization guidelines of each respective country.[12] While the three-dose primary series provides protection in the first few years of life, immunity, be it vaccine-derived or natural infection, wanes with time. The boosters are important to prolonging protection until at least adolescence.[12]

Adolescent and adult vaccination

Pertussis incidence is rising among adolescents and adults, who are key sources of infection for young infants. Expert opinion and models indicate that universal vaccination with the Tdap vaccine could significantly reduce pertussis incidence across all ages. The GPI recommends a Tdap booster for all adolescents at 11 to 12 years of age, and boosters for all adults aged 18 and older at regular intervals (eg, every 10 years).[15][34] Early evidence from countries like Australia, Austria, Canada, France, and Germany supports the effectiveness of universal adolescent immunization.[15][34]

Vaccination in pregnancy

The GPI recommends a single dose of acellular pertussis vaccine for pregnant individuals for every pregnancy. In countries where acellular pertussis vaccines are approved but with inadequate patient access, pregnant individuals should be prioritized above all other groups.[6] Vaccination against pertussis in pregnancy is safe for both pregnant individuals and newborns.[26][35] It is highly effective, particularly when administered in the third trimester, in preventing pertussis in young term and preterm infants. Some studies have shown that infants of vaccinated individuals experience less boosting of anti-pertussis antibody concentrations after their own vaccination.[6][26] However, this effect is not clinically significant in countries using aP vaccines for primary and booster vaccination.[6][26]

Vaccination for childcare and healthcare professionals

Immunization of childcare and healthcare workers is recommended, where access to acellular pertussis vaccines allows.[15][36] The ethical responsibility of healthcare workers to protect themselves and those in their care supports the consideration of mandatory vaccination in hospitals. Similarly, with education, childcare workers and families of neonates may come to understand and accept the rationale for vaccination more readily than the general population.[15]

Pertussis surveillance, diagnosis, and awareness

The GPI recommends upgrading diagnostic facilities and implementing surveillance and public health systems for reporting pertussis incidence in all countries. Additionally, the GPI advocates for uniform case definitions and enhanced education of healthcare professionals on pertussis.[23][24][25][28] Improved diagnostics are essential for the accurate detection and timely treatment of pertussis. Uniform case definitions will enhance global data comparability. Increased awareness among healthcare workers can lead to more accurate diagnosis, better treatment, and improved management of pertussis, ultimately reducing the disease burden and improving outcomes.[23][24][25][28]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Plotkin, Stanley (May 2005). "The Global Pertussis Initiative: Process Overview". Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 24 (5): S7–S9. doi:10.1097/01.inf.0000160707.44131.ae. PMID 15876931.
  2. ↑ World Health Organization. "Pertussis". www.who.int. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  3. ↑ Liu, Jue; Lu, Gram; Qiao, Jie (2025). "Global resurgence of pertussis in infants". BMJ. 391 r2169. doi:10.1136/bmj.r2169. PMID 41115713.
  4. 1 2 Cherry, J. D.; Tan, T.; Wirsing von Konig, C.-H.; Forsyth, K. D.; Thisyakorn, U.; Greenberg, D.; Johnson, D.; Marchant, C.; Plotkin, S. (15 June 2012). "Clinical Definitions of Pertussis: Summary of a Global Pertussis Initiative Roundtable Meeting, February 2011". Clinical Infectious Diseases. 54 (12): 1756–1764. doi:10.1093/cid/cis302. PMC 3357482. PMID 22431797.
  5. ↑ Belcher, Thomas; Dubois, Violaine; Rivera-Millot, Alex; Locht, Camille; Jacob-Dubuisson, Françoise (2021). "Pathogenicity and virulence of Bordetella pertussis and its adaptation to its strictly human host". Virulence. 12 (1): 2608–2632. doi:10.1080/21505594.2021.1980987. PMC 8489951. PMID 34590541.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Forsyth, Kevin; Plotkin, Stanley; Tan, Tina; Wirsing von König, Carl Heinz (1 June 2015). "Strategies to Decrease Pertussis Transmission to Infants". Pediatrics. 135 (6): e1475–e1482. doi:10.1542/peds.2014-3925. PMID 25963002.
  7. 1 2 von König, Carl-Heinz Wirsing (May 2005). "Use of Antibiotics in the Prevention and Treatment of Pertussis". Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 24 (5): S66–S68. doi:10.1097/01.inf.0000160916.47479.22. PMID 15876929.
  8. 1 2 Wendelboe, Aaron M.; Van Rie, Annelies; Salmaso, Stefania; Englund, Janet A. (May 2005). "Duration of Immunity Against Pertussis After Natural Infection or Vaccination". Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 24 (5): S58–S61. doi:10.1097/01.inf.0000160914.59160.41. PMID 15876927.
  9. ↑ Cherry, James D.; Grimprel, Emmanuel; Guiso, Nicole; Heininger, Ulrich; Mertsola, Jussi (May 2005). "Defining Pertussis Epidemiology: Clinical, Microbiologic and Serologic Perspectives". Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 24 (5): S25–S34. doi:10.1097/01.inf.0000160926.89577.3b. PMID 15876920.
  10. ↑ Caro, J Jaime; Getsios, Denis; Payne, Krista; Annemans, Lieven; Neumann, Peter J.; Trindade, Evelinda (May 2005). "Economic Burden of Pertussis and the Impact of Immunization". Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 24 (5): S48–S54. doi:10.1097/01.inf.0000160929.35004.86. PMID 15876924.
  11. 1 2 Forsyth, Kevin; Tan, Tina; von König, Carl-Heinz Wirsing; Caro, J Jaime; Plotkin, Stanley (May 2005). "Potential Strategies to Reduce the Burden of Pertussis". Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 24 (5): S69–S74. doi:10.1097/01.inf.0000160917.29723.03. PMID 15876930.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Forsyth, Kevin; Nagai, Masaaki; Lepetic, Alejandro; Trindade, Evelinda (May 2005). "Pertussis Immunization in the Global Pertussis Initiative International Region: Recommended Strategies and Implementation Considerations". Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 24 (5): S93–S97. doi:10.1097/01.inf.0000160921.74004.12. PMID 15876935.
  13. ↑ Wirsing von König, Carl-Heinz; Campins-Marti, Magda; Finn, Adam; Guiso, Nicole; Mertsola, Jussi; Liese, Johannes (May 2005). "Pertussis Immunization in the Global Pertussis Initiative European Region: Recommended Strategies and Implementation Considerations". Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 24 (5): S87–S92. doi:10.1097/01.inf.0000160920.75623.a3. PMID 15876934.
  14. ↑ Tan, Tina; Halperin, Scott; Cherry, James D.; Edwards, Kathryn; Englund, Janet A.; Glezen, Paul; Greenberg, David; Rothstein, Edward; Skowronski, Danuta (May 2005). "Pertussis Immunization in the Global Pertussis Initiative North American Region: Recommended Strategies and Implementation Considerations". Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 24 (5): S83–S86. doi:10.1097/01.inf.0000160919.94330.1a. PMID 15876933.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 Forsyth, Kevin D.; Wirsing von Konig, Carl-Heinz; Tan, Tina; Caro, Jaime; Plotkin, Stanley (March 2007). "Prevention of pertussis: Recommendations derived from the second Global Pertussis Initiative roundtable meeting". Vaccine. 25 (14): 2634–2642. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.12.017. PMID 17280745.
  16. ↑ Ulloa-Gutierrez, Rolando; Hozbor, Daniela; Avila-Aguero, Maria L.; Caro, Jaime; Wirsing von König, Carl-Heinz; Tan, Tina; Plotkin, Stanley (November 2010). "The global pertussis initiative: Meeting report from the regional Latin America meeting, Costa Rica, 5-6 December, 2008". Human Vaccines. 6 (11): 876–880. doi:10.4161/hv.6.11.13077. PMID 20980794.
  17. ↑ Guiso, Nicole; Wirsing von König, Carl-Heinz; Forsyth, Kevin; Tan, Tina; Plotkin, Stanley A. (February 2011). "The Global Pertussis Initiative: Report from a Round Table Meeting to discuss the epidemiology and detection of pertussis, Paris, France, 11–12 January 2010". Vaccine. 29 (6): 1115–1121. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.12.010. PMID 21168525.
  18. ↑ Guiso, Nicole; Liese, Johannes; Plotkin, Stanley (April 2011). "The Global Pertussis Initiative: Meeting report from the fourth regional roundtable meeting, France, April 14-15, 2010". Human Vaccines. 7 (4): 481–488. doi:10.4161/hv.7.4.14528. PMID 21389775.
  19. ↑ Forsyth, K; Thisyakorn, U; von König, CH; Tan, T; Plotkin, S; GPI Asia-Pacific Regional Roundtable, Meetings (May 2012). "Pertussis control in the Asia-Pacific region: a report from the Global Pertussis Initiative". The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health. 43 (3): 699–711. PMID 23077850.
  20. ↑ Muloiwa, Rudzani; Wolter, Nicole; Mupere, Ezekiel; Tan, Tina; Chitkara, A.J.; Forsyth, Kevin D.; von König, Carl-Heinz Wirsing; Hussey, Gregory (April 2018). "Pertussis in Africa: Findings and recommendations of the Global Pertussis Initiative (GPI)". Vaccine. 36 (18): 2385–2393. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.03.025. PMID 29602703.
  21. ↑ Forsyth, Kevin D.; Tan, Tina; von König, Carl-Heinz Wirsing; Heininger, Ulrich; Chitkara, Amar J.; Plotkin, Stanley (November 2018). "Recommendations to control pertussis prioritized relative to economies: A Global Pertussis Initiative update". Vaccine. 36 (48): 7270–7275. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.10.028. PMID 30337176.
  22. ↑ Hozbor, Daniela; Ulloa-Gutierrez, Rolando; Marino, Cristina; Wirsing von König, Carl Heinz; Tan, Tina; Forsyth, Kevin (August 2019). "Pertussis in Latin America: Recent epidemiological data presented at the 2017 Global Pertussis Initiative meeting". Vaccine. 37 (36): 5414–5421. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.07.007. PMID 31331774.
  23. 1 2 3 Chitkara, Amar J.; Pujadas Ferrer, Mónica; Forsyth, Kevin; Guiso, Nicole; Heininger, Ulrich; Hozbor, Daniela Flavia; Muloiwa, Rudzani; Tan, Tina Q.; Thisyakorn, Usa; Wirsing von König, C.H. (2020). "Pertussis vaccination in mixed markets: Recommendations from the Global Pertussis Initiative". International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 96: 482–488. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2020.04.08 (inactive 5 May 2026).{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of May 2026 (link)
  24. 1 2 3 Jog, Pramod; Memon, Iqbal Ahmad; Thisyakorn, Usa; Hozbor, Daniela; Heininger, Ulrich; von König, Carl Heinz Wirsing; Tan, Tina (February 2022). "Pertussis in Asia: Recent country-specific data and recommendations". Vaccine. 40 (8): 1170–1179. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.12.004. PMID 35074239.
  25. 1 2 3 Chitkara, A. J.; Balasubramanian, S.; Choudhury, Jaydeep; Dash, Nabaneeta; Forsyth, Kevin; Heininger, Ulrich; Hozbor, Daniela Flavia; Muloiwa, Rudzani; Tan, Tina; von König, Carl Heinz Wirsing (April 2023). "Pertussis in India: Past, Present, and Future". Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 90 (4): 393–399. doi:10.1007/s12098-022-04384-w. PMID 36522518.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Abu-Raya, Bahaa; Forsyth, Kevin; Halperin, Scott A.; Maertens, Kirsten; Jones, Christine E.; Heininger, Ulrich; Hozbor, Daniela; Wirsing von König, Carl Heinz; Chitkara, Amar J.; Muloiwa, Rudzani; Tan, Tina Q. (23 November 2022). "Vaccination in Pregnancy against Pertussis: A Consensus Statement on Behalf of the Global Pertussis Initiative". Vaccines. 10 (12): 1990. doi:10.3390/vaccines10121990. PMC 9786323. PMID 36560400.
  27. ↑ Olson-Chen, Courtney; Swamy, Geeta K.; Gonik, Bernard; Forsyth, Kevin; Heininger, Ulrich; Hozbor, Daniela; von König, Carl Heinz Wirsing; Chitkara, Amar J.; Top, Karina A.; Muloiwa, Rudzani; van der Schyff, Malikah; Tan, Tina Q. (June 2024). "The current state of pertussis vaccination in pregnancy around the world, with recommendations for improved care: Consensus statements from the Global Pertussis Initiative". International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 165 (3): 860–869. doi:10.1002/ijgo.15311. hdl:11336/266065. PMID 38251722.
  28. 1 2 3 Ulloa-Gutierrez, Rolando; Hozbor, Daniela; Avila-Aguero, María L; Echániz-Aviles, Gabriela; Gentile, Angela; Torres Torretti, Juan Pablo; Heininger, Ulrich; Muloiwa, Rudzani; Wirsing von König, Carl Heinz; Forsyth, Kevin; Tan, Tina Q (28 April 2025). "Country-Specific Data and Priorities for Pertussis in Latin America: Recent Findings From the Global Pertussis Initiative". Open Forum Infectious Diseases. 12 (5) ofaf154. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofaf154. PMC 12069808. PMID 40365078.
  29. ↑ Nguyen, Phung Nguyen The; Heininger, Ulrich; Muloiwa, Rudzani; von König, Carl Heinz Wirsing; Hozbor, Daniela; Ong-Lim, Anna; Tan, Tina Q.; Forsyth, Kevin (March 2025). "Pertussis in Southeast Asia: country-level burden and recommendations from the Global Pertussis Initiative". IJID Regions. 14 100559. doi:10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100559. PMC 11791295. PMID 39906191.
  30. 1 2 Heininger, Ulrich (11 June 2026). "Pertussis Is Not Just a Childhood Disease: Why Lifelong Vaccination Matters More Than Ever | Infection Control Today". www.infectioncontroltoday.com. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  31. ↑ Bordet J (1895). "Les leucocytes et les propriétés actives du sérum chez les vaccinés" [Leucocytes and the active properties of serum in vaccinated animals]. Annales de l'Institut Pasteur (in French). 9: 462–506.
  32. ↑ "The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1919".
  33. ↑ Cavaillon, Jean-Marc; Sansonetti, Philippe; Goldman, Michel (11 September 2019). "100th Anniversary of Jules Bordet's Nobel Prize: Tribute to a Founding Father of Immunology". Frontiers in Immunology. 10 2114. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.02114. PMC 6749103. PMID 31572361.
  34. 1 2 Forsyth, K. D.; Campins-Marti, M.; Caro, J.; Cherry, J. D.; Greenberg, D.; Guiso, N.; Heininger, U.; Schellekens, J.; Tan, T.; von Konig Carl-Heinz, W.; Plotkin, S. (15 December 2004). "New Pertussis Vaccination Strategies beyond Infancy: Recommendations by the Global Pertussis Initiative". Clinical Infectious Diseases. 39 (12): 1802–1809. doi:10.1086/426020. PMID 15578403.
  35. ↑ Vygen-Bonnet, S; Hellenbrand, W; Garbe, E; von Kries, R; Bogdan, C; Heininger, U; Röbl-Mathieu, M; Harder, T (13 February 2020). "Safety and effectiveness of acellular pertussis vaccination during pregnancy: a systematic review". BMC Infectious Diseases. 20 (1): 136. doi:10.1186/s12879-020-4824-3. PMC 7020352. PMID 32054444.
  36. ↑ Fritschi, Nora; Heininger, Ulrich (March 2025). "Pertussis vaccination campaign among health care workers and validity of recall of previous adverse events following immunization". Vaccine. 50 126850. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126850. PMID 39923543.
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