Measles is a very dangerous disease and can lead to complications including ear infections, pneumonia, a brain infection called encephalitis, and death. Before mass vaccination in the 1980s, measles affected three to four million people per year in the U.S., and 400 to 500 died. We have a very effective and safe vaccine to prevent measles. Getting the measles vaccine is the very best way to prevent measles. All parents should be vaccinating their children at the recommended ages.