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When it comes to getting a flu shot, expectant moms shopping for maternity-wear at Manhattan's Upper Breast Side have some mixed points of view.

"I would rather not expose myself or my fetus to anything unnecessary," said one pregnant woman. "So I would consider a flu vaccine as unnecessary."

"I talked about it with my doctor and I wanted to make sure that I was as healthy as possible when I had the baby. Then, after I have the baby, I want to make sure that our home is sort of safe from having the flu in the house. So my husband actually go the flu shot, as well," said another.

Pregnant women are among a high-risk group, more likely to be hospitalized from complications due to the flu. Because of that, national guidelines say the flu shot is an essential component of prenatal care.

"It's all benefit to get the shot, because it protects them. And they can also confer the same immunity and protection to their baby once the baby is born," explained Dr. Samantha Dunham of NYU Langone Medical Center.

However, a national survey conducted by Harris Interactive for the National Women's Health Resource Center shows three out of four women are unaware or uncertain about following through with those recommendations. Furthermore, only 20 percent who are currently pregnant plan to get a flu shot this season.

To encourage more women to get the shot, the NWHRC launched a campaign dubbed "Flu Free and Mom-to-Be" this season. They say concerns about safety and misconceptions are keeping some expectant moms away from the shot.

About half of expectant moms say they are worried about thimersol. Some groups claim the mercury-based preservative in flu shots and some other vaccines may be responsible for autism and other childhood diseases.

While there have been no proven links, New York is one of six states that have banned the use of thimerosal-containing vaccines in children and pregnant women to get any fears around the vaccine out of the way.

"Ask your physician whether or not they are giving a thimerosal-free vaccine," said Beth Battaglino Cahill, executive director of NWHRC. "And, if they are not, they can order one. They are easy to get; there's no shortage. It's good to educate yourself and ask questions."

Six-months pregnant, Michelle Fernandez decided it was time to get vaccinated.

"The two weeks that I might spend sick is the two weeks that I might be away from my baby, or might be down," she said. "And that would be time away later, because that would be sick time I would have to take. So it was just a no-brainer for me."