Immunity to Covid-19: March 2023 update
How do our bodies defend against Covid-19? Read how immune responses differ across people, variants, reinfection, vaccination, and current immunisation strategies.

A POSTnote that describes the race and ethnic inequalities in mental health, and Government plans to reform the Mental Health Act 1983.
Mental Health Act Reform - Race and Ethnic Inequalities (316 KB , PDF)
The Government announced plans in the Queen’s Speech to bring forward legislation to reform the Mental Health Act 1983. The proposals include approaches to reduce the disproportionate number of individuals from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities subject to compulsory detention and treatment. This POSTnote outlines research on race and ethnic inequalities in relation to the Act, summarises proposals for reform and stakeholder views.
POSTnotes are based on literature reviews and interviews with a range of stakeholders and are externally peer-reviewed. POST would like to thank interviewees and peer reviewers for kindly giving up their time during the preparation of this briefing, including:
Members of the POST Board*
NHSE/I National Mental Health Team*
Andy Bell, Centre for Mental Health*
Professor Dinesh Bhugra, King’s College London
Professor Kamaldeep Bhui, University of Oxford*
Tracey Bignall, Race Equality Foundation*
Alison Cobb, Mind
Steve Chamberlain, Chair of the AMHP Leads Network*
Dr Jacqui Dyer, Independent Mental Health Consultant
Danielle Fox, Rethink Mental Illness
Dr Susham Gupta, East London NHS Foundation Trust*
Professor Stephani Hatch, King’s College London *
Mat Kinton, Care Quality Commission*
Professor Judy Laing, University of Bristol*
Emad Lilo, Vice Chair of the AMHP Leads Network*
Professor Steven Pilling, University College London
Mary Sadid, National Survivor User Network
Gill Williams, East London NHS Foundation Trust
* denotes people and organisations who acted as external reviewers of the briefing.
Mental Health Act Reform - Race and Ethnic Inequalities (316 KB , PDF)
How do our bodies defend against Covid-19? Read how immune responses differ across people, variants, reinfection, vaccination, and current immunisation strategies.
This POSTnote will analyse available data on recent trends in distress linked to gender identity and lifespan trajectories in children and adults.
This POSTnote will explain plans to improve patient choice in the context of reforming the Mental Health Act.