A new poll by CNN/ ORC shows that the vast majority of Americans believe that parents should have their children vaccinated against preventable diseases. The poll was conducted after the Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced 154 cases of measles had been reported so far across the country. The outbreak is largely blamed on the anti-vaccine movement that has grown popular over the last few years.

When asked if parents of a healthy child should vaccinate him or her against measles, mumps, rubella, and polio, 78 percent of respondents said yes.

Older Americans (over 50), who perhaps remember the dark days before vaccines, were the most supportive group with 84 percent of respondents in favor of vaccination.

Women were generally more supportive than men, with 81 percent of female respondents saying yes as opposed to only 75 percent of male respondents.

When asked if a child should be barred from attending a public school if he or she is not vaccinated, 58 percent said yes. 61 percent were in support of barring an unvaccinated child from attending daycare.

However, in regards to private schools, Americans seem less certain. 51 percent say unvaccinated children should not be allowed to attend private schools; 48 percent say they should be allowed.

When asked about specific fears of an outbreak of a preventable disease, such as measles, in their community, Americans on the West coast were the most concerned. 38 percent say they thought an outbreak could strike in the next few weeks. Comparatively, only ten percent of respondents from the Northeast and eight percent of respondents from the South and Midwest were worried about the disease affecting their community.

The poll was conducted over the telephone. The sample was weighted to accord with the census’ basic demographics of the country in regards to age, race, education, gender, and residency.