ATAGI has highlighted the importance of pertussis vaccination for older adults in the bulletin following its most recent meeting.
Key points:
- Pertussis doesn’t just affect children. Older adults and people with chronic illnesses are at higher risk of serious illness and complications compared to healthy adults.
- Pertussis has been on the rise in recent years.
- In 2024, pertussis vaccine coverage was suboptimal for adults aged 50 and older.
- ATAGI recommends healthcare workers and all adults aged 65 years and older receive a dTpa (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis combination vaccine) dose every 10 years.
Read the full bulletin here: ATAGI Bulletin for Immunisation Providers – 27 March 2026.
To read more about pertussis disease, epidemiology and prevention, visit MVEC: Pertussis.
For information on all immunisation recommendations for the older population, visit MVEC: Older population’s immunisation recommendations.