Prior to 1962 smart mothers made sure their kids got measles, in spite of any risks.
Because the risk at 30 was about a 20% death rate, and if you survived you likely had brain damage.
Before 1962 the death rate for measles was ABOUT one in a thousand, with another 1 or 2 having complications.
998 of a thousand having a 4 day fever and spots. That’s it.
Death is not the only serious complication that can result from measles. Still, that's a significantly higher complication rate than the rate for serious complications from the measles vaccine, which is about 1 person out of every million.