Known by acronyms that need no explanation, viruses like COVID, SARS and Ebola conjure images of medics in protective suits and spark fear in populations worldwide.

Vaccines for individual viruses have provided some relief, but new strains pose a constant challenge.

Professor Jonathan Heeney of Cambridge University likened the new technique to having the “master key” for an apartment building.

The main problem with vaccines, he said, was that they were “all historic,” so the strain you are vaccinated with might not be the one you end up being exposed to in six months’ time.