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Background. Whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines are used for the prevention of the disease. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in pertussis incidence has been observed in several countries, indicating a decline in vaccine-controlled disease management. The purpose was to assess global and regional trends in the pertussis epidemic process and analyze the causes of increasing incidence, particularly among vaccinated individuals. Materials and methods. A systematic review of publications and reports was conducted using databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar) and sources from the WHO, CDC, and ECDC. The analysis covered incidence trends, vaccine effectiveness, the rise in cases among vaccinated individuals, regional epidemiological patterns, and progress in the development of new vaccines. For Ukraine, incidence rates during the first 6 months of 2024 and 2025 were compared. Results. The highest increase in incidence was recorded in the WHO European Region (53.6 % of global cases). In Ukraine, following an outbreak in 2024 (7,545 cases; 18.4 per 100,000 population), 842 cases were reported in the first half of 2025 that is 5.8 times fewer, suggesting a return to the cyclical nature of the infection. Official incidence rates in Ukraine are underestimated due to calculations based on the pre-war population size, which is particularly relevant under wartime conditions. Underdiagnosis is confirmed by serological studies among healthy individuals and patients with prolonged cough. Asymptomatic persistence of Bordetella pertussis and underdiagnosis of manifest forms pose significant risks for infants who have not yet been immunized. A high proportion of cases among vaccinated individuals, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains, and the waning of post-vaccination immunity underscore the urgent need for more effective vaccines aligned with the antigenic characteristics of circulating strains. Conclusions. A decline in vaccine-controlled management and changes in the epidemiological features of pertussis have been observed, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. In Ukraine, after a peak in 2024, incidence has decreased in 2025, indicating the cyclical nature of the infection. Underdiagnosis and statistical distortions remain pressing issues. Vaccination strategies differ across countries, and efforts to develop new vaccines considering pathogen evolution are ongoing.