DALLAS >> Clayton and Kathryn Nash, who both grappled with measles in their childhoods, have wondered why there’s a recent outbreak of the virus when it’s preventable through vaccination.

The pair can recall living in a time when the measles vaccine wasn’t yet available. They remember how quickly the virus was spread and how much it negatively impacted the health and lives of people they knew who were diagnosed with the ailment.

“When you start seeing all these vaccines come out, it was like, this is a savior,” said 68-year-old Clayton Nash. “This is a solution.

With that experience in mind, Clayton and his wife, Kathryn, 72, are supportive of vaccines and strongly believe in the science behind them.

For years, they hadn’t thought much about measles. But lately, it’s been on their minds because of the measles outbreak that began in West Texas in January. There have been two measles deaths in Texas so far — both children — with more than 600 cases across the state as of late April. The most recent confirmed case of measles was reported in Collin County.

“The people who have lived through those diseases or seen what they’ve done to others say, ‘Get vaccinated,’” Clayton said.

One step forward, two steps back

Measles is a highly contagious, airborne virus that causes an infection that could lead to serious complications or death, according to the World Health Organization. Symptoms typically include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash.

Clayton had measles when he was about 6 or 7 years old, just before the vaccine was created in the 1960s. While his mother was most concerned about his high fever, he described the itching from the rash as “the worst.”

“It’s different, because you’re itchy. It’s like the flu, but add itching — lots of it — and then if you end up scratching it, you’re going to have sores. Then you’ve got potential for infection,” he said. “You feel like crap, and you got a fever.”

Clayton said he missed about a week and a half of school while he recovered from the virus.

Measles was very common at that time, Clayton said. Prior to the introduction of the vaccine in the 1960s, there were roughly 4 million cases and 450 deaths in the U.S. annually, according to data from the National Institutes of Health. Now, it’s typically fewer than 200 in a normal year.

“It makes me think that we’re going backwards, when we come up with another outbreak of something like this,” Kathryn said. “We should be going forwards and eliminating more diseases, instead of letting the old ones come back and reinfect people.”

‘Get vaccinated’

The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella — all highly contagious viruses — is considered very safe and effective.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine, which is recommended by doctors, is 97% effective against measles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One dose is 93% effective.

It isn’t a requirement for people born before 1957 to have the MMR vaccine, because they are considered to have immunity due to natural exposure to the virus. That being said, neither Clayton or Kathryn are vaccinated against measles.

However, they both agreed that if it was an option at the time, they would’ve been vaccinated. Clayton said his younger sister, who was born in 1962, got the vaccine. The couple has also been vaccinated against other viruses like COVID-19.

“I just find it unbelievable that parents who have the option, opt against it. That’s just unbelievable to me,” Kathryn said.

While the vaccine is generally considered safe, some groups are advised not to take it by health care professionals. According to the CDC, people who shouldn’t get the vaccine include those who are or may be pregnant, have a weakened immune system or have had an allergic reaction to a previous dose.

But the couple’s advice to those who are able to get the vaccine? Get the vaccine.

“Get vaccinated. Definitely,” the couple said together.

“You have that available to you,” Kathryn Nash said. “Why not take advantage of it?”

Distributed by Tribune News Service.