Diabetes increases the morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has specific vaccination recommendations for patients with diabetes. Little is known about the challenges faced in adhering to recommendations. As part of a supplement to our NIMHD-funded P60 Center of Excellence grant, we studied low-income African American and Hispanic patients with diabetes at a primary care center to understand the barriers to receiving influenza and pertussis vaccinations. Focus group interviews (N = 23) were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed using ATLAS. Ti (Version 7.0). Members of the research team reviewed the transcripts to identify relevant themes. Data indicated that patients found their health care providers to be trustworthy, and were responsive to their suggestions to get vaccinated against influenza. Those who had regular interaction with their providers for their diabetes care were particularly receptive to obtaining influenza vaccinations. Conversely, patients had limited knowledge regarding recent guidelines for pertussis vaccination and did not recall discussing pertussis with their providers. They were not aware of the resurgence of pertussis in the community. Significant barriers to vaccination were: low health literacy with regard to vaccines-a number of patients indicated that they believed that the influenza vaccine caused the flu and were hesitant to receive that vaccine; and a lack of knowledge regarding community locations where vaccinations could be obtained. These data indicate a need for strategies that promote communication, address misperceptions and influence perceptions about vaccinations that will ultimately improve health in a high risk population.