APPLETON, Wis. (NBC26) -- Tereena Basler asks the same question every day: "why can't I get it?"
And while she waits for an answer, the Appleton resident -- a cancer patient -- fights for her life.
"It was definitely a not expected blow being only 35 [years old] and being diagnosed with it," Basler said. "So it was scary."
For the past year, Basler has battled esophageal cancer while attempting to dodge the coronavirus.
"Being a single mom and fighting the stage 4 cancer and having a school-aged child going to school, it's very concerning," Basler said. "You can do all the precautions that you can and that you want. But it's still concerning that... I could come down with it [Covid]."
Because she's under 65 years old, Wisconsin hasn't made Basler and thousands like her eligible to get a vaccine.
She doesn't fall under any of the other eligible categories either.
"I feel like the state is almost telling people like us 'well... you're gonna die anyway,'" Basler said. "So we'll put you on the back burner."
At last week's Covid-19 media briefing, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services was asked why people with preexisting conditions aren't eligible for the vaccine. The answer:
"This is a matter of limited supply and more people who want and need the vaccine than we have vaccine for," DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said.
Advocates say that's not good enough.
"I don't like answers of we don't have enough," Diabetes Leadership Council chairman Stewart Perry said. "Make more. There are other companies waiting for FDA approval on their vaccines. Let's get them approved. If they work, let's get them approved."
For now, Basler waits.
Even though she's battling cancer and hiding from the coronavirus, she's been able to find peace during chaotic times.
"I have people all over the world praying for me, sending well thoughts and everything," Basler said. "I really found my spirituality."
In the current phase of the vaccine rollout throughout Wisconsin, the state only allocates doses to -- in a general sense -- health care workers, first responders, people involved in assisted living and those over the age of 65. Sheree doesn't fall into any of those categories.
The next population that will be allowed to receive a dose, which the DHS expects to happen around March 1, does not include those with preexisting conditions who are too young to claim their vaccine.
