Pertussis is an endemic and cyclical disease. But protection from infection and through vaccination is not long-lived. Because of high vaccination coverage among infants the age distribution of pertussis has changed: adults and adolescents are now the main reservoir for Bordetella pertussis. The current recommendations of the German Standing Vaccination Committee (STIKO) are designed to achieve life-long protection, which is feasible with acellular pertussis vaccines. Vaccination of all adults with Tdap instead of dT vaccine is recommended in many countries, because this strategy may reduce the burden of disease in adults and infants, and is cost-effective.