a(4) = 7 because a 4-vertex graph with no isolated vertices can have degree sequence 1111, 2211, 2222, 3111, 3221, 3322 or 3333.
The a(0) = 1 through a(3) = 7 sorted degree sequences (empty column indicated by dot):
() . (1,1) (2,1,1) (1,1,1,1)
(2,2,2) (2,2,1,1)
(2,2,2,2)
(3,1,1,1)
(3,2,2,1)
(3,3,2,2)
(3,3,3,3)
For example, the complete graph K_4 has degrees y = (3,3,3,3), so y is counted under a(4). On the other hand, the only half-loop-graphs (up to isomorphism) with degrees y = (4,2,2,1) are: {(1),(1,2),(1,3),(1,4),(2,3)} and {(1),(2),(3),(1,2),(1,3),(1,4)}; and since neither of these is a graph (due to having half-loops), y is not counted under a(4).
(End)