In 2001, the Global Pertussis Initiative was established as a
scientific forum to analyze the status of pertussis globally and
to evaluate various immunization strategies to improve disease
control. Thirty-seven multidisciplinary experts from 17
countries participated. The initiative was conducted in 3
stages: assessment of the international epidemiology, diagnosis,
health and economic burden, and prevention and treatment of
pertussis; evaluation and prioritization of 7 immunization
strategies to address the problems; and identification of
solutions to surmount potential barriers to the implementation
of these strategies. A health-economic model, created for the
Initiative, analyzed the cost-effectiveness of the selected
immunization strategies. Discussion, debate, and consensus were
facilitated via a roundtable meeting, teleconferences and use of
a closed, interactive website, allowing the participants to
share data, knowledge, experience, and opinion. This article
describes the processes undertaken to condu