If you’re of a certain age, it’s entirely fine to be nostalgic about some things from your childhood. One thing you shouldn’t be nostalgic about, though, is the measles.

Before a vaccine became available in 1963, measles was commonplace in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there were 500,000 cases every year, mostly striking children. Of those 500,000 cases, about 500 were fatal.

Since the introduction of the vaccine, and concerted efforts on the part of health officials to get children vaccinated, the number of measles cases has dropped precipitously in this country and throughout the developed world. If the vaccine had never been developed, that means up to 30,000 of us could have died as a result of the measles over the last six decades.

Measles has retreated, but it’s not entirely gone. In fact, health officials worry about measles making something of a comeback due to some children falling behind on their vaccines, and some parents falling for vaccine misinformation.

About a month ago, the Ohio Department of Health put out an alert about potential measles exposure for anyone who was in a terminal at Cincinnati’s airport on two dates in January. Further afield, there has been an uptick in cases in Europe and Britain.

Measles is no fun to endure, and it’s easily preventable with a vaccine that has been shown to be safe and effective. But, unfortunately, the anti-vaccine contingent continues to spread lies.

No parent should risk their children’s health, particularly when immunizations can be scheduled with a phone call or a couple of mouse clicks.