Pertussis is one of the most common infectious diseases in children, affecting in particular nonimmunized babies and young children, but increasingly also adolescents and adults. Complications occur for the most part in infants and in addition to infectious complications may also even lead to death from apnea. Since 1991, general pertussis vaccination has been recommended again, but because of the relatively high rate of side effects associated with the whole-cell vaccines available, has remained at a low level. This led to the development of acellular pertussis vaccines with appreciably improved tolerability. A number of these acellular vaccines offer good protection, and are approved for immunization. Owing to their excellent tolerability and the resulting better acceptance, acellular pertussis vaccines can considerably improve the immunization rate. Only in this way will it be possible to reduce the incidence of one of the most common infectious diseases of childhood that is also associated with the highest rate of complications.