Since 1986, whooping cough has no longer been included on the list of reportable diseases. A pediatric hospital "sentinel" network (RENACOQ) was established in April 1996, following the results of an initial survey conducted in 1993–94, which showed that this surveillance tool was well-suited to both the new epidemiological situation and diagnostic conditions in France. Indeed, although it has improved, microbiological confirmation of pertussis remains difficult and is still primarily performed in hospital laboratories. The results of the third year of surveillance are presented and compared with those of previous years. The results of this surveillance support the gradual development of booster vaccination policies across all European countries. France is currently the first country to administer a booster dose to adolescents. RENACOQ makes it possible to measure its impact, indirectly through its effect on pertussis morbidity among infants, and more directly through monitoring its transmission. The decreasing role of children in the transmission of the disease to infants supports the chosen vaccination policy and the decision to administer a booster dose during adolescence, the implementation of which must be improved and monitored.