Pakistani authorities on Wednesday postponed a polio vaccination campaign in the country's restive southern Balochistan province after health workers boycotted it to oppose a proposed privatization of hospitals.

Authorities on Monday launched the final nationwide polio vaccination campaign for the year, aiming to protect 45 million children. According to the World Health Organization, Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan remain the only two countries where the potentially fatal, paralyzing virus has not been eradicated.

Anwarul Haq of the National Emergency Operation Center for Polio Eradication said the polio vaccination campaign in Balochistan was delayed until Dec. 30 for “better preparedness." He provided no further details.