Governor Gavin Newsom has been condemned for his 'wrong and cowardly' mandate which demands all California students from 7th to 12th grade get the COVID-19 vaccine but does not require their teachers to get the shot.

Social media erupted in outrage Friday night as people pointed out the alarming difference between the rules for children and staff, with many accusing the governor of being influenced by the powerful teachers' unions.

'Kids must get vaccine, but teacher don't have to. The lesson? Kids need a better union,' one person tweeted.  

Newsom announced Friday that all elementary through high school students will be required to get the shot once the vaccine is given final approval from the US government for different age groups.

'We want to end this pandemic. We are all exhausted by it,' he said.