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“Over a year ago, he directed public health units to refocus their efforts on childhood vaccination,” she told reporters in Brampton. 

Asked if that’s working, Jones replied “I believe it is” and encouraged anyone who has not had a free measles shot to get one. 

“There is no shortage.” 

The increase in Ontario cases last week was the highest weekly rise since the outbreak began. At least 1,243 people have caught measles since October, with 84 hospitalized — 63 of them children. 

New cases had been limited to 100 in previous weeks, prompting deeper concerns about Ontario’s approach which some critics say has been low-profile compared with efforts from Premier Doug Ford, Jones and Moore at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when frequent news conferences were televised province-wide.

“Parents are worried about sending their kids to school,” New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles said in the legislature’s daily question period. “The government seems to be totally content with the state of things.”

Many of the measles cases are in southwestern Ontario. Part of the problem has been that some families fell behind on their childhood vaccination schedules during the pandemic. 

“There’s no doubt that there are outbreaks in certain communities,” Jones said as she touted an investment of up to $300 million coming in next Wednesday’s provincial budget to establish as many as 17 new or expanded primary-care clinics in areas hardest hit by Ontario’s doctor shortage. They will be teaching clinics associated with Ontario medical schools. 

“The focus needs to be on, first, reminding caregivers and parents the value and the efficacy of a measles vaccine that have been in place for over 50 years in the province of Ontario,” she said, citing a social media campaign and increased efforts by some health units to hold special vaccine clinics.

“With two doses you have over 97 per cent protection.”

Liberal House Leader John Fraser accused Ford’s government of “failing to protect” the province — especially children — from measles and noted Ontario has twice as many cases as Texas, a state that has double the population. 

“It’s a serious situation and we didn’t have to be here,” he added, blaming anti-vaccination campaigns in some circles on social media and charging Ontario has not done enough to counter them.

The Ford government was not shy about spending tens of millions on pre-election feel-good ads about the economy to “pat yourself on the back” but sees no need to launch a major campaign on measles shots, Fraser said. 

“All of that money would have been way better spent.”