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The BCG vaccine is designed primarily to protect against tuberculosis (TB), a serious infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. The vaccine is derived from a weakened strain of Mycobacterium bovis, which is similar to the organism that causes human tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The effectiveness of the BCG vaccine is most pronounced in infants and young children, where it significantly reduces the risk of severe forms of tuberculosis, such as disseminated TB and TB meningitis. While the vaccine does provide some protection against pulmonary TB, its effectiveness varies among populations.

In contrast, the other diseases listed—measles, hepatitis, and influenza—are prevented by different vaccines specifically formulated for those viruses or pathogens. Each of those vaccines targets distinct immunological challenges and thereby does not overlap with the intended purpose of the BCG vaccine, which is solely focused on tuberculosis prevention.