HARRISBURG — Rite Aid, the nation's third-largest drugstore chain, is considering changing a flu-shot policy that requires pregnant women to first get a doctor's prescription.

Spokeswoman Cheryl Slavinsky said the Camp Hill.-based company's current policy reflects that of many other pharmacies nationally, although she said Wednesday that is changing.

Rite Aid competitor Walgreen says it does not require pregnant women to have a doctor's note.

It has long been more difficult for pregnant women to get a flu shot, partly because many obstetricians don't vaccinate and some pharmacists are wary of vaccinating them.

Dr. Thomas Bader, director for general obstetrics and gynecology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, says it is important to remove barriers that prevent pregnant women from getting the flu vaccine.