The introduction of pertussis vaccines has greatly decreased the incidence of pertussis,but pertussis is still one of the most common epidemic diseases responsible for infant and child morbidity and mortality,and is perceived as a serious public health problem in many countries.The advent of acellular vaccines has constituted an important advance in the acceptance of the immunization and consequently the control of the disease.Acellular pertussis vaccines result in fewer adverse reactions compared with whole-cell pertussis vaccines,and the efficacy of acellular vaccines is similar to whole-cell pertussis vaccines.This review summarizes the characteristics of virulence factors of Bordetella pertussis.Acellular pertussis vaccines in term of efficacy,safety,and use are discussed emphatically.