An international team of scientists has found it may be possible to make seasonal flu vaccines more effective by using an idea known as "back boost" and pre-empting flu virus evolution.

In a study published on Thursday in the journal Science, the University of Cambridge-led team said their finding should enable people to be immunized against future likely flu strains as well as ones currently circulating.

"Rather than trying to play catch-up, it's better to anticipate and prepare for the likely next step of influenza evolution," said Sam Wilks, one of the study's lead researchers.