THIS IS 50
Battle of the Gen X Youth Movies
EVERY GENERATION has its youth angst movie. Early boomers had The Graduate; late boomers, Dazed and Confused. But what about those born between 1965 and 1980? What movie captured their teen spirit? We pitted 10 Gen X classics against each other to find out. —Eric Spitznagel
The winner, with 10 points: Reality Bites. More than 30 years on, the film still resonates with anyone who misses wearing thrifted clothes, having complicated relationships with roommates and dancing to “My Sharona.”
Do You Need Another Measles Shot?
AMERICANS BORN before 1957 are considered immune to measles due to exposure, while those in their mid-50s and younger are likely protected by vaccination. Two shots of the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine are believed to immunize you for life.
Some people in their late 50s or early 60s, though, may be vulnerable to measles and not know it. Of the first two vaccines for the disease, both introduced in 1963, one was later found to be ineffective. It was discontinued in 1968. Effective measles vaccines use a weakened version of the live virus.
Don’t know whether you got the right vaccine? Talk to your doctor. The CDC says there is no harm in getting another dose. Or you can have your blood tested for measles antibodies first, to see whether you’re immune. —Rachel Nania