Which infection is a significant cause of morbidity in children and can be prevented by vaccination?

Measles is a significant cause of morbidity in children and is preventable through vaccination. This viral infection can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, particularly in young children and those with weakened immune systems. The widespread implementation of the measles vaccine has dramatically reduced the incidence of this disease in many parts of the world. Vaccination is essential for creating herd immunity, which protects those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants or individuals with certain health conditions.

The other infections listed, while also serious, do not have the same level of morbidity impact or established vaccination programs as measles. For example, chickenpox is less severe now due to the availability of a vaccine, but it does not cause the same level of fatal complications as measles does. Influenza can cause serious illness, but there is a yearly vaccine available that is effective, and its pattern of morbidity varies each year due to changing strains. Tuberculosis, while serious and preventable with vaccination in some countries, primarily affects populations at high risk and has seen a shift in focus due to the need for improved screening and treatment rather than broad vaccination in many areas. Thus, among the options, measles stands out as the infection with significant morbidity that is