Jodie Oddy can’t catch a break: ‘Worse than childbirth’

Nova919 breakfast host Jodie Oddy’s Bali bliss became a holiday from hell. Find out what happened.

Media identity Jodie Oddy has returned from a Bali holiday with shingles.

Oddy and Andrew Hayes co-host the breakfast show on Nova919. Also a reporter for Channel 10, she is describing the pain of shingles as “worse than childbirth”.

An image of Oddy, showing her neck and decolletage covered in a blistered red rash, was posted to Instagram on @jodieandhayesy with the caption “Good thanks, you?”.

Oddy told The Advertiser: “I got off the plane and went straight to hospital”.

“They did all the tests and I was told it is definitely shingles,” she said.

Jodie Oddy returned from a Bali holiday with shingles. Picture: Instagram

She described the pain as “worse than childbirth”. Picture: Instagram

Oddy’s illness follows news that more than 200,000 Australians will now be eligible for free shingles vaccinations.

People who are classified as “moderate to high risk” and aged 18 to 64 are now eligible for the vaccine.

The expansion to the government program also means immunocompromised patients under 65 no longer have to pay $560 to receive the vaccine.

Health Minister Mark Butler said since November 2023, more than 1.3 million Aussies have received a free shingles vaccine after the Albanese Government commenced the new shingles program.

“Making the shingles vaccine free for more Australians is not just good for their hip pocket, it’s also good for their health,” Mr Butler said.

“Without vaccination, almost 1 in 3 Australians will get shingles in their lifetime.

“Without listing it on the NIP Australians who are immunocompromised due to an underlying health condition would have to pay up to $560 for their vaccine.”